US KC-135 refueling aircraft crashes in Iraq during Operation Epic Fury: CENTCOM
WASHINGTON, DC: A US aircraft crashed in Iraq Thursday, March 12, amid ongoing military operations against Iran, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed. The crash occurred on the 12th day of Operation Epic Fury, targeting Iranian-linked assets in the region.
Recovery teams are working at the site where a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker went down, while the fate of its crew remains unknown. A second Stratotanker sustained damage but managed to land safely.
CENTCOM reports KC-135 crash in western Iraq
CENTCOM said two US KC-135 refueling planes were flying in friendly airspace when one crashed in western Iraq. The other plane landed safely.
Officials confirmed the crash was not caused by enemy or friendly fire. Rescue teams are working at the site, but details about the crew and their condition have not been released.
In a statement, CENTCOM said, “The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely."
The statement concluded, "This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. 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."
BREAKING: A U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft has gone down in Western Iraq, according to U.S. Central Command.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 12, 2026
Recovery efforts are currently underway.
"U.S. Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace… pic.twitter.com/YOwAUKcUjl
Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 reported that a KC-135 tanker declared an emergency before landing in Tel Aviv Thursday evening. This is the fourth aircraft publicly confirmed to have crashed during Operation Epic Fury.
It is not yet clear if anyone was killed or injured. A US official, speaking to The Associated Press anonymously, said the KC-135 that crashed had at least five crew members on board. Another US official, also speaking anonymously, confirmed that the other plane involved was a KC-135 tanker as well.
How the KC-135 Stratotanker supports US missions
The KC-135 Stratotanker has been the US Air Force’s main aerial refueling plane for more than 60 years, helping military aircraft fly longer distances around the world. It also supports the Navy, Marine Corps, and allied nations, and can carry patients during medical evacuations.
The plane has four engines under swept wings and can take off fully loaded at up to 322,500 pounds. Its cargo deck can carry passengers, cargo, or a mix of both, with up to 83,000 pounds of cargo depending on fuel storage.
Most of its fuel can be transferred to other planes using a flying boom, operated by a crew member at the back of the plane.
The KC-135 is based on the Boeing 707 airliner and has had upgrades over its long service life.
Normally, it has a crew of three, but it’s unclear what roles the extra crew members had on the crashed plane. In 2025, the Air Force had 376 KC-135s: 151 active duty, 163 in the Air National Guard, and 62 in the Air Force Reserve.
