March 12, 2026 — Western Iraq A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed during Operation Epic Fury against Iran, as confirmed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker Crash in Iraq involved two aircraft in friendly airspace; one KC-135 went down with rescue efforts ongoing for its crew, while a second landed safely after sustaining damage. Officials ruled out hostile or friendly fire.
The incident occurred amid U.S. operations in the region. CENTCOM’s statement noted the crash happened during a sortie supporting Operation Epic Fury, marking the fourth U.S. aircraft loss in recent Middle East operations.
Incident Details
Reports indicate a possible mid-air collision between the two KC-135s, one acting as a receiver-tanker variant. Crew size varies across accounts, with CNN citing at least five aboard the crashed aircraft and others mentioning three. As of March 13, 2026, the crew’s status remains unknown, with rescues underway and no confirmed fatalities in initial reports.
BBC and Al Jazeera corroborated CENTCOM’s confirmation, noting unverified claims by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq but emphasizing no enemy involvement.
Official Response
“A KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft experienced an incident in western Iraq during a scheduled Operation Epic Fury sortie. One aircraft crashed; rescue efforts are ongoing. A second aircraft landed safely. This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”
Breaking Defense highlighted it as the first such KC-135 crash since 2013. Coverage from The War Zone and Washington Post detailed the support role for Iran-focused missions.
Broader Context
The U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker Crash in Iraq aligns with ongoing U.S. military aviation activities, drawing attention from aviation outlets like Air & Space Forces Magazine and The Aviationist. Local U.S. reports linked the aircraft to bases such as Fairchild AFB. This event echoes recent losses in the Iran campaign, per KWCH.
Stars and Stripes confirmed rescue operations continue as investigations proceed.
