A KC-135 crash in western Iraq after an obvious midair collision has killed six US Airmen, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed Friday. Investigators are actually inspecting what occurred.
Six American service members had been killed Thursday, 12 March 2026, after a US Air Pressure (USAF) KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq following an incident involving one other plane, in keeping with the US navy. The crash occurred throughout operations related to the continuing US and Israeli marketing campaign in opposition to Iran, often called Operation Epic Fury.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American navy operations within the Center East, confirmed on Friday that every one six crew members on board had died. Earlier, studies talked about 4 deaths whereas rescue groups looked for the opposite two. By early Friday morning, nevertheless, officers confirmed that every one six had died.
“The circumstances of the incident are underneath investigation,” CENTCOM mentioned in a press release. “Nonetheless, the lack of the plane was not as a result of hostile fireplace or pleasant fireplace.”
The navy mentioned the incident occurred in “pleasant airspace” and concerned two plane throughout Operation Epic Fury. One plane crashed in western Iraq, whereas the opposite was capable of land safely.
The plane that went down has been recognized as Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker (62-3556). The tanker was traditionally assigned to the Air Pressure Reserve’s 459th Air Refueling Wing at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
A US official accustomed to the incident mentioned the second plane concerned was additionally a KC-135. Army officers later recognized it as KC-135R (63-8017), an airframe delivered in 1963. The tanker reportedly suffered injury to its tail throughout the incident however remained controllable and landed safely. Experiences point out the plane diverted to Tel Aviv, the place it landed safely. Israeli Ambassador to the USA Yechiel Leiter wrote on X that the plane had landed safely in Israel.
Pictures of the surviving plane present markings related to the 940th Operations Group at Beale Air Pressure Base in California, a part of the 940th Air Refueling Wing. The unit operates a small fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers and obtained its first plane of the sort in December 1976.
The names of the six service members haven’t been launched but. Army officers mentioned they’ll wait at the least 24 hours after notifying the households earlier than sharing the names.
In line with CENTCOM, this crash raises the variety of US service members killed within the present battle with Iran to at the least 13.
An Ageing Fleet Important to the Success of Epic Fury
The KC-135 Stratotanker, the plane concerned within the crash, has been a key a part of the US navy’s aerial refueling fleet for many years. Based mostly on the Boeing 707 airliner, it entered service within the late Nineteen Fifties and early Sixties and nonetheless performs an essential function in serving to navy plane fly longer distances.
The KC-135 lets fighter jets, bombers, surveillance planes, and cargo plane refuel in midair. This helps them keep within the air longer and function removed from their bases. Some variations also can carry cargo or passengers, and the plane can help aeromedical evacuation missions.
A typical KC-135 crew normally consists of three folks: a pilot, a co-pilot, and a increase operator. The increase operator manages the refueling increase, which extends from the again of the tanker and connects to different plane throughout refueling. On many KC-135s, the operator does this whereas mendacity face down and watching the method by means of a window on the underside of the fuselage.
Some missions require further crew members, which was the case right here.
The Congressional Analysis Service studies that as of final 12 months, the Air Pressure had 376 KC-135 plane. Of those, 151 had been with energetic responsibility models, 163 with the Air Nationwide Guard, and 62 with the Air Pressure Reserve.
Even with upgrades, the age of the KC-135 has been a priority for protection analysts. The Air Pressure’s swap to the newer KC-46A Pegasus tanker can also be taking longer than deliberate.
Even with the KC-46 coming into service, officers anticipate the Stratotanker to maintain flying for a few years. Some estimates say it may keep in use into the 2040s or later.
Refueling tankers have turn into notably essential throughout the present battle, analysts say, as US plane could also be required to conduct longer missions throughout the area.
Investigation Underway as (Many) Questions Stay
Army officers nonetheless have no idea precisely what prompted Thursday’s crash. Investigators are trying into what occurred between the 2 plane earlier than the KC-135 went down.
Air-to-air refueling operations are routine for the US navy, however they require exact coordination between plane flying in shut proximity at excessive altitude. Mishaps are uncommon, however investigators consider a midair collision might have performed a task within the incident, in keeping with studies citing officers accustomed to the early levels of the investigation.
The crash occurred in a distant desert space of western Iraq close to the Jordanian border. US plane usually fly by means of this area whereas supporting operations within the Center East.
That is the fourth US plane crash made public since Operation Epic Fury began in late February. Earlier, three US Air Pressure F-15E Strike Eagles had been by accident shot down by Kuwaiti F/A-18s in a pleasant fireplace incident. All of the pilots ejected safely.
KC-135 plane have had a number of deadly accidents over time, however these are nonetheless unusual. The final deadly crash earlier than Thursday was on 3 Could 2013, when a KC-135R crashed quickly after takeoff from Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan throughout operations in Afghanistan, killing all three crew members. A later Air Pressure investigation discovered the aircraft had a rudder malfunction earlier than the tail broke off in flight.
Proper now, investigators are looking for out what occurred over western Iraq. Army officers say they’ll evaluate flight knowledge, communication data, and different proof to find out how the crash occurred.
As restoration efforts proceed, the US navy has promised to honor the six airmen who died. Battle Secretary Pete Hegseth known as them “heroes” throughout a briefing after the incident and mentioned they are going to be introduced again to the USA with a dignified switch at Dover Air Pressure Base.
The AvGeekery staff affords honest condolences to the households of the heroes who misplaced their lives on this tragedy. These warriors made the last word sacrifice for freedom and can at all times be remembered.
