The US Central Command (CentCOM), announced on Friday that all six crew members of a United States KC-135 refuelling plane that crashed in western Iraq were killed.

The US military announced that the plane crashed on March 12 while flying over friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury. The initial reports had already confirmed four deaths, even as search and rescue operations were ongoing.

CentCOM confirms all six fatalities

In a statement posted on X, CentCOM confirmed the deaths of all personnel on board the aircraft.

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"All six crew members aboard a US KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation.

However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified."

Officials have ruled out hostile or friendly fire as the cause of the crash. However, the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still being examined by the US military.

Aircraft was operating during regional conflict

The crash occurred amid the ongoing Middle East conflict involving US and Iranian forces. According to the US military, the aircraft was engaged in operational activities linked to Operation Epic Fury when the incident took place, The Times of India said in its report.

The broader conflict began on February 28 and has since seen missile attacks, drone strikes and aerial operations across several parts of the region as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.

What is KC-135 tanker aircraft?

The KC-135 is a long-serving aerial refuelling aircraft that has been in use for more than six decades. It is commonly operated by a crew that includes a pilot, co-pilot and a boom operator responsible for conducting aerial refuelling.

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Certain missions may also include additional personnel such as a navigator depending on operational requirements.

The latest crash comes after another incident earlier in the conflict involving US aircraft in the region. Kuwaiti forces mistakenly shot down three American F-15E fighter jets in a friendly fire episode over Kuwait.

In that incident, all six crew members managed to eject safely.