A U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq on 12 March during Operation Epic Fury, in an incident that immediately underscored how dangerous even non-combat aviation operations can become around a major regional conflict. U.S. Central Command said two aircraft were involved, with one lost and the other landing safely, and stressed that the incident did not result from hostile fire or friendly fire. Even with few public details initially released, the event stood out because aerial refueling is already one of military aviation’s most demanding missions, and the crash highlighted the operational risk facing the large number of U.S. aircraft now flying around the Iran war zone, including in so-called friendly airspace.
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