A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq, prompting an ongoing rescue mission by U.S. Central Command. Military officials confirmed the aircraft went down in friendly airspace and was not the result of hostile action or friendly fire.
A second KC-135 involved in the incident managed to land safely. According to the Associated Press, the downed tanker had at least five crew members on board, though their conditions remain unconfirmed as search operations continue.
🚨 BREAKING: US KC-135 Tanker Crashes in Iraq
An Iran-backed militant group claims they shot down a US military refueling aircraft to "defend national sovereignty."
However, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirms the crash but states it was an "incident between two aircraft"… pic.twitter.com/Zpco4j6rYb
— NewsLive360 | Global (@NewsLive360) March 13, 2026
The crash marks the fourth major U.S. aircraft loss since the launch of Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israeli military offensive against Iran that began on February 28.
U.S. forces have relied heavily on the KC-135 fleet to refuel fighter jets conducting extensive sorties over the region. The ongoing air campaign has targeted Iranian air defenses and ballistic missile sites.
Prior to this incident, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles were downed by Kuwaiti air defenses in a friendly-fire incident on the opening day of the offensive. All crew members from those aircraft survived.
The escalating conflict has drawn intense scrutiny from leaders around the world as retaliatory drone strikes target global oil infrastructure and coalition bases across the Middle East.
Reuters and the Associated Press report that seven U.S. service members have died in the conflict, with more than 140 troops wounded. U.S. forces have struck over 6,000 targets, resulting in an estimated 1,300 Iranian casualties.