U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker Lost Over Western Iraq During Operation Epic Fury; All Six Crew Confirmed Dead
CENTCOM’s initial statement confirmed two aircraft were involved: one crashed, and the second landed safely.
MIDDLE EAST — A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on March 12, killing all six crew members aboard. U.S. Central Command confirmed the loss occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury and stated the incident was “not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”
A second KC-135 involved in the incident landed safely in Israel with significant structural damage, and the circumstances remain under investigation.