The U.S. KC-135 crash in Iraq left four of the six crew members on board confirmed dead after a U.S. refuelling aircraft went down in western Iraq, according to U.S. Central Command. CENTCOM said the crash happened at around 2 p.m. ET on March 12 and that rescue efforts were continuing.
In its update, CENTCOM said two aircraft were involved in the incident. One aircraft crashed in western Iraq, while the other landed safely. The military also said the crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire.
CENTCOM said it was withholding the identities of the aircrew members involved. The command asked for patience as officials gather more details and provide clarity to the families of the service members.
Four Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq
TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue.
The…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 13, 2026The official update makes clear that the incident remains under investigation. While public reporting has described the event as involving a second KC-135, CENTCOM’s confirmed statement focused on one aircraft going down and another making a safe landing.
What The KC-135 Stratotanker Does
The KC-135 Stratotanker is one of the U.S. Air Force’s main aerial refuelling aircraft. The Air Force says it provides core midair refuelling capability and has supported U.S. operations for more than 60 years.
The aircraft is used to extend the range and endurance of U.S. and allied military planes during missions. That role has made tanker aircraft especially important in long-distance combat operations and regional military deployments.
A US KC‑135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, US Central Command said, highlighting the risks of intensified military operations across the Middle East https://t.co/r8pU3KsFHK pic.twitter.com/rHcmYEFXU6
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 13, 2026The crash comes during heightened U.S. military activity in the Middle East. Refuelling aircraft is a critical part of sustained air operations, which makes any loss especially significant for ongoing missions.
CENTCOM has not yet released further details on what caused the aircraft to go down. For now, the focus remains on rescue and recovery efforts and the broader investigation.
