All 6 Aboard KC-135 Refueling Aircraft Crash in Iraq Killed

The crash brings the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13 service members.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:51pm

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The U.S. military confirmed that all six crew members of a KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed while supporting operations against Iran in western Iraq have died. The crash occurred after an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in 'friendly airspace', though the other plane landed safely. The KC-135 has been in service for over 60 years and has been involved in several fatal accidents in the past.

Why it matters

The crash highlights the risks and challenges faced by U.S. forces in the ongoing conflict with Iran, as well as the aging fleet of KC-135 refueling aircraft that play a crucial role in supporting military operations. The incident comes just a week after three U.S. F-15E fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire, underscoring the dangers of aerial combat.

The details

The KC-135 crashed on Thursday while supporting operations against Iran. U.S. Central Command said the circumstances of the crash are under investigation, but that the loss of the aircraft was 'not due to hostile or friendly fire'. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, said the other plane involved was also a KC-135, which landed safely in Israel. The KC-135 Stratotanker is a U.S. Air Force aircraft used to refuel other planes in midair, allowing them to travel longer distances and maintain operations longer without landing.

  • The crash occurred on Thursday, March 13, 2026.
  • Last week, three U.S. F-15E fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire.

The players

U.S. Central Command

The U.S. military command that oversees operations in the Middle East.

Gen. Dan Caine

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

The U.S. Secretary of Defense.

Yang Uk

A security expert at South Korea's Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

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What they’re saying

“War is hell. War is chaos. And as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen. American heroes, all of them.”

— Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (wearegreenbay.com)

“It would be rare for a refueling tanker to be downed by enemy fire because such operations are usually conducted in the rear of combat zones.”

— Yang Uk, Security expert (wearegreenbay.com)

What’s next

The U.S. military has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash of the KC-135 refueling aircraft.

The takeaway

The tragic crash of the KC-135 tanker highlights the ongoing risks and challenges faced by U.S. forces in the conflict with Iran, as well as the aging fleet of refueling aircraft that are critical to supporting military operations. This incident underscores the need for continued investment in modernizing the U.S. aerial refueling capabilities to ensure the safety and effectiveness of future missions.