Post by : Shakul

A major incident involving US military aircraft has triggered speculation about a possible mid-air collision after one aerial refuelling tanker crashed over Iraq while another landed with visible damage in Israel.

According to officials from United States Central Command, the incident involved two Boeing KC‑135 Stratotanker aircraft operating in the Middle East. One tanker was lost during the operation over Iraq, while the second aircraft managed to land safely at Tel Aviv despite suffering structural damage.

The US military stated that the incident was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, leaving open the possibility that it may have been an operational accident. Images and videos circulating on social media appear to show the surviving tanker missing a significant portion of its vertical tail stabiliser.

Military analysts reviewing the visuals suggested that the two aircraft may have collided mid-air during a complex aerial refuelling manoeuvre. Such operations require aircraft to fly extremely close together, often within around 100 feet, which increases the risk of accidental contact.

Aerial refuelling is considered one of the most technically demanding operations in military aviation. The procedure allows fighter jets and bombers to extend their operational range by receiving fuel while flying, making tanker aircraft like the KC-135 critical to long-distance missions.

The KC-135 Stratotanker, developed by Boeing, has been a key part of US Air Force operations for more than six decades. The aircraft is typically operated by a crew of three consisting of a pilot, co-pilot and boom operator who controls the refuelling system used to transfer fuel to other aircraft in flight.

The aircraft can carry large amounts of fuel as well as cargo and passengers, making it a crucial asset in sustaining long-range combat missions and global military deployments.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions and military activity in the Middle East. Analysts say tanker aircraft play a vital role in supporting combat jets operating across the region, especially during extended operations far from home bases.

US authorities have not yet released full details about the cause of the crash, and an investigation is expected to determine whether the incident was due to mechanical failure, operational error, or a mid-air collision during refuelling.

#world news #Global News #Asia News