A U.S. military KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in Iraq following a midair collision with another tanker, killing four crew members while the second aircraft landed safely.CENTCOM dismissed claims of hostile fire by an Iraqi militia, citing evidence of a collision as the primary cause of the crash.The Department of Defense has initiated a formal investigation into the incident, which follows a series of recent operational losses and equipment-related accidents in the region.Search-and-rescue teams continue to assess the site as authorities finalize the notification process for the families of the deceased.