周四下午，一架KC-135空中加油机在伊拉克西部与另一架飞机发生空中事故后坠毁，造成四名美国军人死亡，官员证实。
美国中央司令部周五早些时候证实，一架美国KC-135空中加油机于美国东部时间下午约2点在伊拉克西部坠毁。机上六名机组人员中有四人已被确认死亡，救援工作仍在继续。
中央司令部表示，涉事的另一架飞机安全着陆。官员称，飞机失事并非敌对火力或友军火力造成。
军人身份暂不公布，待通知直系亲属后再行公布，24小时后将在完成通知后发布。
[前顶级”TOPGUN”飞行员宣称伊朗军事力量”已终结”，因美军拥有空中优势，但警告另一危险]
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2023年8月30日星期三，美国空军一架KC-135″同温层加油机”从日本南部冲绳岛西部嘉手纳镇的嘉手纳空军基地起飞。（美联社照片/小驹广）
事故详情仍在调查中。
据美国空军称，KC-135″同温层加油机”是美国空军的一种空中加油机，可在空中为其他飞机加油，使它们无需降落即可执行更长时间的任务。它还可配置用于医疗后送和监视。
基于波音707设计的KC-135已服役超过60年，为美国空军、海军、海军陆战队和盟军飞机提供支持。美国空军正逐步用新一代KC-46A”飞马座”加油机取代老化的机队。
尽管进行了升级，但对较旧飞机的耐用性仍有担忧。国会研究服务处报告称，去年美国空军在现役、国民警卫队和空军预备役中共有376架KC-135。
[伊朗代理人向以色列发动战争，威胁美国利益，伊拉克因未解除武装遭抨击]
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截至2026年3月11日，一张地图显示美国和以色列对伊朗马里万市内部安全设施的打击。（福克斯新闻）
一个标准机组包括一名飞行员、一名副驾驶和一名加油操作员，负责从飞机后部控制加油软管。一些KC-135还配备机翼吊舱，必要时可运输货物或乘客。
据以色列驻美国大使称，第二名美国官员表示，另一架KC-135参与了此次事故并安全降落在以色列。
[点击此处下载福克斯新闻应用]
此次坠机事件发生在一周前友好的科威特部队误击三架美国F-15E战斗机之后。
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如果与伊朗的冲突持续，加油机可能变得越来越重要，因为美军飞机可能需要深入该地区执行更长时间的任务。
美联社对此报道有贡献。
布拉德福德·贝茨是福克斯新闻数字版突发新闻记者，报道犯罪、政治问题等诸多领域。
Four U.S. service members were killed when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq Thursday afternoon after a mid-air incident with a second aircraft, officials confirmed.
A U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq around 2 p.m. ET, U.S. Central Command confirmed early Friday. Four of the six crew members aboard the aircraft have been confirmed dead as rescue efforts continue.
The other aircraft involved in the incident landed safely, CENTCOM said. Officials said the loss of the aircraft was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire.
The identities of the service members are being withheld pending notification of next of kin and will be released 24 hours after those notifications are complete.
[FORMER TOPGUN PILOT DECLARES IRAN MILITARY ‘OVER WITH’ AMID US AIR SUPERIORITY, BUT WARNS OF ANOTHER DANGER]
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A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling tanker aircraft takes off from the Kadena Air Base airfield in Kadena town, west of Okinawa, southern Japan, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023.(AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
The KC-135 Stratotanker is a U.S. Air Force aircraft that refuels other planes midair, allowing them to fly longer missions without landing. It can also be configured for medical evacuations and surveillance, according to the Air Force.
Based on the Boeing 707 design, the KC-135 has been in service for more than 60 years, supporting the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied aircraft. The Air Force is gradually replacing the aging fleet with next-generation KC-46A Pegasus tankers.
Despite upgrades, concerns have been raised about the durability of the older aircraft. The Congressional Research Service reported that the Air Force operated 376 KC-135s last year across active duty, the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.
[IRAN PROXIES WAGE WAR ON ISRAEL, THREATEN US INTERESTS AS IRAQ SLAMMED FOR NOT DISARMING THEM]
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A map shows U.S. and Israeli strikes on internal security sites in Marivan City, Iran, as of March 11, 2026.(Fox News)
A standard crew includes a pilot, co-pilot and boom operator, who controls the refueling boom from the rear of the aircraft. Some KC-135s are also equipped with wing-mounted pods and can carry cargo or passengers when needed.
A second US official said another KC-135 was involved in the incident and landed safely in Israel, according to Israel’s ambassador to the United States.
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The crash follows last week’s mistaken downing of three US F-15E fighter jets by friendly Kuwaiti fire.
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Refueling tankers could become increasingly important if the conflict with Iran continues, as US aircraft may need to fly longer missions deeper into the region.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.
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