Four US Crew Members Killed in KC-135 Tanker Crash in Western Iraq, CENTCOM Confirms
Military says incident involving two aircraft occurred during Operation Epic Fury; investigations continue amid conflicting claims of responsibility
TAMPA, Florida — March 13, 2026 — Four of six crew members aboard a US military KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft have died after the plane crashed in western Iraq, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Friday, as search and rescue operations concluded at the crash site .
The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 PM Eastern Time on March 12 during Operation Epic Fury, the US-led military campaign targeting Iran-linked threats in the region . Two KC-135 aircraft were involved in the incident, with one landing safely while the second went down in western Iraq, according to the official CENTCOM statement .
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“The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” CENTCOM said in a statement posted on social media platform X . The command added that the identities of the deceased service members are being withheld for at least 24 hours pending notification of their next of kin .
Conflicting Claims and Regional Tensions
Despite the US military’s initial assessment ruling out hostile fire, Iran-backed groups have asserted responsibility for downing the aircraft. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organisation representing pro-Iranian militias operating in the country, issued statements on Friday claiming its fighters targeted the two KC-135 aircraft over western Iraq .
In separate statements, the group said it shot down one KC-135 “with appropriate weapons” and struck a second aircraft of the same type, forcing its crew to make an emergency landing at what it described as “one of the enemy airports” . The group framed the operations as defensive actions to protect Iraq’s sovereignty and airspace, “which have been violated by the occupation forces’ aircraft” .
Iran’s state media, citing the spokesman for the Central Headquarters of Iran’s Military, amplified these claims, asserting that the US refuelling plane was brought down by a missile fired by resistance groups in western Iraq . The Public Relations Department of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement claiming that “the air defence systems of the Resistance Front succeeded in targeting a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker tanker while it was refuelling an aggressor fighter jet” .
Press TV, Iran’s state-run English-language news channel, further reported that all six crew members aboard the aircraft had been killed—a claim that contradicts the official US casualty figures of four dead and two survivors .
US officials have not verified any of these assertions and maintain that preliminary investigations point to an accident rather than hostile action .
Aircraft and Operational Context
The Boeing-manufactured KC-135 Stratotanker serves as a critical component of US military operations, providing aerial refuelling capabilities that extend the range of fighter jets, bombers, and other aircraft during extended missions . The aircraft, which has been in service for more than six decades, typically carries a core crew of three—a pilot, co-pilot, and boom operator responsible for operating the refuelling arm—though missions may include additional personnel depending on operational requirements .
The crash marks the fourth publicly acknowledged loss of a US military aircraft since the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran on February 28 . Earlier this month, three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti forces in “an apparent friendly fire incident” over Kuwait. All six crew members aboard those aircraft were able to eject safely and were subsequently recovered .
Casualty Figures and Wider Conflict Impact
The four fatalities bring the total number of confirmed US service members killed in the current conflict to seven, according to Pentagon figures . Approximately 140 American personnel have been wounded since fighting began, including eight seriously .
The broader conflict has exacted a significant toll across the region. Israel’s Health Ministry reports at least 2,975 people have been injured in attacks since February 28 . Lebanese authorities have documented civilian casualties from Israeli strikes, including an attack on the village of Erkay that killed nine people, among them five children .
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French forces have also suffered losses, with President Emmanuel Macron confirming the death of a French soldier in an attack targeting Irbil in Iraq’s northern Kurdish region . Six additional French soldiers were wounded in a separate drone attack in Iraq on Thursday, according to French military officials .
International Reactions and Investigations
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq detailed extensive operations in the past 24 hours, claiming its fighters conducted 31 attacks using dozens of drones and missiles against what it termed “occupation bases in Iraq and the region” .
US Central Command has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the KC-135 crash while continuing to participate in ongoing combat operations . The command has requested patience from the public and media “to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members” .
Meanwhile, regional tensions continue to escalate. Saudi Arabia reported downing 38 drones in just a few hours that were heading toward the kingdom’s Eastern Province, according to its defence ministry . Dubai’s financial district sustained debris damage from intercepted drones, with thick plumes of smoke visible over the city’s skyline .
The Strait of Hormuz has effectively been closed to shipping following Iranian attacks on vessels, with Iran’s envoy to the UN asserting the country’s “inherent right to preserve the peace and security in the Strait of Hormuz” . Iraqi authorities reported that two oil tankers were attacked within Iraqi territorial waters on Thursday, prompting a suspension of operations at the country’s oil terminals .
Current Situation
As of March 13, rescue operations at the western Iraq crash site have concluded, and recovery efforts are underway . The second KC-135 aircraft involved in the incident remains operational and landed safely .
US Central Command continues to withhold the names of the deceased service members pending family notifications, a standard protocol following military fatalities . The investigation into the precise cause of the crash is expected to take several weeks, with officials examining flight data, maintenance records, and operational circumstances surrounding the mission .
The incident underscores the heightened risks facing US forces operating in the region amid an expanding conflict that now encompasses multiple fronts and has drawn in various Iran-backed militant groups across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.
Verification Note
WNS could not independently verify militia claims.
SOURCES / INPUTS
BBC News: Four killed after US refuelling plane crashes in Iraq, military confirms
CENTCOM: https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4434008/four-confirmed-deceased-in-loss-of-us-kc-135-over-iraq/
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