A US Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft was lost over western Iraq on March 12, 2026, in what US Central Command (CENTCOM) described as a non-combat incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace.”
One aircraft crashed, while the second landed safely. CENTCOM said the incident was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire and that rescue efforts were underway.
A brief CENTCOM statement left key questions unanswered, including the type of the second aircraft, the number of crew members aboard the downed tanker, and the nature of the incident itself. Reporting by the Associated Press, citing US officials, said the second aircraft was also a KC-135 and that five crew members were aboard the aircraft that crashed. The military had not yet confirmed casualties because rescue operations were still ongoing. Several news outlets reported six crew members were on board.
If confirmed, the involvement of two KC-135s could suggest the loss occurred during a tanker operation rather than while refueling a fighter or transport aircraft. CENTCOM has not publicly described the mission profile, and it has not said whether the two aircraft collided, were maneuvering in close formation, or were involved in some other kind of in-flight emergency. Reuters, citing the military statement, also reported only that another aircraft was involved and that one landed safely.
Tanker sorties are routine, and the KC-135 remains one of the most heavily used aircraft in the Air Force inventory. The type is a core part of US air operations, extending the range and endurance of fighters, surveillance aircraft, and other military aircraft. AP reported that the current Air Force inventory includes 376 KC-135s across the active-duty force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve.
The incident comes as US forces continue Operation Epic Fury, the campaign tied to the widening conflict with Iran. CENTCOM stressed that this incident was not linked to hostile action.
CENTCOM said more information would be provided as the situation develops, but asked for patience while officials gather facts and provide clarity for the families of the service members involved.
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