March 13, 2026 — Western Iraq A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling plane crashed in western Iraq late on March 12 local time during Operation Epic Fury, a U.S. military operation amid the conflict with Iran, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed. The incident involved two aircraft in friendly airspace, with one crashing and the other landing safely; officials stated it was “not due to hostile or enemy fire.”
Rescue efforts for the crew—reportedly at least five to six members aboard—are ongoing, though casualty details remain unclear. The KC-135, based on the Boeing 707 design and typically crewed by three, suffered a total loss, according to AP News.
Official U.S. Account
CENTCOM described the event as a non-hostile mishap, with speculation pointing to a possible mid-air collision or air refueling incident. The Aviationist reported transponder data showing one KC-135 squawking a general emergency code, and social media visuals of the surviving aircraft (tail number 63-8017) displaying damage to its vertical stabilizer at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.
“The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing,” CENTCOM stated, per CNBC.
“More information will be made available as the situation develops. We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members,” CENTCOM added.
Militia and Iranian Claims
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed militia group, claimed responsibility on Telegram, alleging it shot down the aircraft. Iranian state media via TASS echoed this, stating resistance groups used a missile and that the crew was killed. U.S. officials firmly denied any attack.
Broader Context
This marks the fourth U.S. aircraft loss in recent days, following three F-15 fighters downed by friendly fire from Kuwaiti defenses since the Iran war escalated, CNBC reported. The KC-135 Stratotanker crash aligns with increased operations supporting strikes against Iran, as covered by outlets including the Washington Post and PBS NewsHour.
Social media buzz, including NDTV visuals suggesting a damaged tail from a fuel midair collision, has fueled speculation, though official sources emphasize non-combat causes.
