The U.S. military has identified the six service members who were killed in a plane crash Thursday in western Iraq, according to military officials.

The incident occurred in western Iraq, though specific details about the crash circumstances have not been released. Military authorities are expected to provide additional information about the victims and the investigation into the crash.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is deploying additional military forces to the Middle East region. Thousands of U.S. sailors and a Marine unit consisting of approximately 2,500 personnel are being sent to the area as part of ongoing military operations.

The deployment comes amid continued U.S. military presence in Iraq and the broader Middle East region. The additional forces represent a significant increase in American military personnel in the area.

The identities and details about the six service members killed in the crash are being withheld pending notification of their families, following standard military protocol.