A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker military aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, and U.S. Central Command said the incident involved another aircraft but was not caused by enemy or friendly fire.
The U.S. Air Force’s primary aerial refueling capability is provided by the KC-135 Stratotanker, which has excelled in this capability for more than 60 years, according to the Air Force website.
The aircraft acts as a “flying refueling station” allowing fighters, bombers and reconnaissance aircraft to stay in the air longer and fly greater distances.
