March 12, 2026 — Western Iraq U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that all six crew members aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker died after the aircraft crashed in a mid-air incident with another aircraft during Operation Epic Fury. The second KC-135 landed safely at Ben Gurion Airport with damage to its vertical stabilizer. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. ET in friendly airspace and was not caused by hostile or friendly fire.
CENTCOM initially reported the loss of the KC-135, noting rescue efforts were underway. Updates confirmed four crew members deceased before all six were later verified dead.
“All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury.”
This marks the first Air Force fatalities in Operation Epic Fury, bringing the total U.S. service member deaths in the operation to at least 13.
Incident Details
The downed KC-135, identified as KC-135R 63-8017—a 62-year-old aircraft—squawked emergency code 7700 and entered Israeli airspace around 5:15 p.m. UTC. Photos showed the surviving KC-135 with about 40% of its 25-foot vertical stabilizer missing. A video depicted U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King IIs conducting low-altitude search and rescue over western Iraq.
The cause remains under investigation, possibly a refueling mishap, but officials ruled out enemy action.
Official Response
CENTCOM’s initial statement emphasized:
“U.S. Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury… This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. More information will be made available as the situation develops.”
CBS News reported it as the fourth U.S. aircraft crash linked to the operation.
Background
Operation Epic Fury involves U.S. Central Command activities, supported by multiple KC-135 Stratotankers. This is the first KC-135 loss in nearly 13 years, following a 2013 crash in Kyrgyzstan that killed three crew members, per Stars and Stripes.
The incident drew social media attention, with images of the damaged KC-135 tail circulating online.
