JUST IN: U.S. Army Plane Crashes In Iraq
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker, a military refueling aircraft, crashed in western Iraq.
The incident involved two aircraft and occurred in friendly airspace as part of Operation Epic Fury. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), rescue efforts were initiated immediately following the event. The KC-135 is a Boeing-manufactured aerial refueling tanker based on the 707 airliner design, which has been in service with the U.S. military since the 1950s.
It plays a critical role in extending the range of fighter jets and bombers by providing in-flight refueling.
“U.S. Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing,” CENTCOM announced in an official press release. “Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely.”
CENTCOM further explained that the incident was not a result of hostile 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,” the statement continued.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced the loss of a KC-135 “Stratotanker” over Iraq after an incident with another aircraft that landed safely. Rescue efforts are ongoing. CENTCOM states this was not due to friendly or hostile fire. pic.twitter.com/WcsIwVrCYb
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 12, 2026
CBS News reported that the second aircraft involved was also a KC-135 Stratotanker, which successfully returned to a base in Israel.
At least six crew members were reportedly aboard the aircraft that crashed in Iraq. CENTCOM has not provided any figures on casualties and/or survivors, while search and rescue operations remain underway at this time.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. Initial assessments point to a possible mid-air incident during a refueling operation, given the involvement of two tankers.
The U.S. Air Force currently operates approximately 376 active KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, based on the most recent available data from September 2024. This includes roughly 151 aircraft in active service and 62 in reserve, as well as an additional 163 across Air National Guard units.
The incident occurs amid ongoing U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran and its proxies in the region, including in Iraq. Additional details will be provided as they become available.
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