All six crew members aboard a US military aerial refueling aircraft were killed after their plane crashed in western Iraq, the US military confirmed on Friday (March 13).
United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, said the aircraft went down on Thursday (March 12) during operations linked to the conflict with Iran.
“All six crew members aboard a US KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.
Crash not caused by hostile fire
US military said the cause of the crash remains under investigation but emphasised that the aircraft was not brought down by enemy action.
“The circumstances of the crash are under investigation,” CENTCOM said, adding that “the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”
The incident involved a second aircraft that was operating in the area but landed safely.
Iraq militia claims KC-135 hit, US calls it false
Iran’s military had earlier claimed that an allied militia in Iraq had shot down the aircraft with a missile. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed groups, also claimed responsibility and said it targeted another plane that escaped.
However, the US military rejected those claims.
Death toll in Operation Epic Fury rises
The crash increases the number of US service members killed in Operation Epic Fury, the military campaign against Iran, to at least 13 personnel.
Earlier this week, the Pentagon said around 140 US service members had been injured, including eight with severe wounds. Seven of the fatalities occurred during combat operations.
Fourth US aircraft lost in the war
The KC-135 crash marks at least the fourth US military aircraft lost during the conflict.
Last week, three American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by Kuwaiti forces during intense fighting early in the war. All six crew members aboard those aircraft successfully ejected.
CENTCOM previously said the incident occurred amid heavy combat involving Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones.
What is the KC-135 Stratotanker?
The downed aircraft was a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, a long-serving tanker aircraft used by the US Air Force to refuel combat planes in midair.
The tanker allows fighter jets and bombers to remain airborne for extended periods and operate far from their bases. It can also be used for cargo transport, surveillance missions and medical evacuation.
Based on the design of the Boeing 707, the KC-135 has been in service for more than 60 years and remains a backbone of US aerial refueling capability.
The tanker typically operates with a three-person crew: a pilot, a co-pilot and a boom operator who controls the refueling arm from the rear of the aircraft.
The crash comes as the war between the United States, Israel and Iran — which began on February 28 — continues to intensify across West Asia.
