U.S. Military Refueling Plane Crashes in Iraq

Rescue efforts underway after incident involving two aircraft

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:06am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A U.S. military refueling plane crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, according to U.S. Central Command. The crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire, the military said. Rescue efforts were underway, but it was not immediately clear if there were any casualties. A second aircraft involved in the incident landed safely.

Why it matters

The crash is the latest incident involving U.S. military aircraft during the ongoing operations against Iran. Several American service members have been killed and injured in the conflict so far, underscoring the risks and human toll of the military campaign.

The details

The refueling plane that crashed was a KC-135 tanker, which is based on the same design as the Boeing 707 airliner and has been in military service for over 60 years. The tanker typically has a crew of three, but it's unclear what role the additional crew members were serving aboard the flight. The U.S. Air Force currently has a total of 376 KC-135 tankers, including 151 on active duty.

  • The crash occurred on Thursday, March 13, 2026.

The players

U.S. Central Command

The U.S. military command responsible for operations in the Middle East.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who joined grieving families for a dignified transfer of the remains of American service members killed in the conflict with Iran.

Pete Hegseth

The U.S. Defense Secretary who has warned that the Iran war would likely claim more American lives before it ends.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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.”

— U.S. Central Command (pbs.org)

“The Iran war would likely claim more American lives before it ends.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary (pbs.org)

What’s next

The U.S. military will continue its investigation into the cause of the crash and provide updates on the status of the rescue efforts and any casualties.

The takeaway

The crash of the U.S. military refueling plane in Iraq is the latest incident in the ongoing operations against Iran, which have already resulted in the deaths of several American service members and highlighted the risks and human toll of the conflict.