Four US Air Force Crew Members Confirmed Dead After KC‑135 Goes Down in Iraq

Four US Air Force members have been confirmed dead after a KC‑135 aerial refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq on March 12, according to a statement released by US Central Command (CENTCOM). Rescue operations remain underway for the remaining two crew members.

CENTCOM reported that the aircraft crashed at approximately 2 PM ET while operating in western Iraq. The KC‑135, which was carrying six crew members, was supporting ongoing U.S. military operations in the region at the time of the incident. Officials emphasized that the loss of the aircraft was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, and the exact circumstances remain under investigation.

The identities of the deceased crew members are being withheld for at least 24 hours to allow time for next‑of‑kin notifications, in accordance with US military policy.

The crash occurred amid heightened US military activity in the Middle East, where refueling aircraft such as the KC‑135 play a critical role in sustaining air operations. While CENTCOM has not released additional operational details, officials reiterated that the aircraft was flying in friendly airspace at the time of the incident.

Imagery after the incident shows that the second KC‑135 involved in the mid‑air event sustained significant structural damage, most notably to its vertical stabilizer, which appeared severely compromised upon landing at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.

The aircraft had declared an in‑flight emergency, squawking 7700, before diverting safely. Despite the extent of the tail damage, the crew managed to maintain control and land the tanker without further incident.

The KC‑135 fleet has been heavily engaged in Middle East operations in recent days, with several aircraft flying regular missions from bases in Israel to support US and Israeli operations targeting Iran. These long‑range refueling sorties have become a critical component of the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict, enabling strike aircraft and surveillance platforms to maintain extended presence over contested airspace.