Six US Air Force Personnel Killed in KC-135 Refuelling Aircraft Crash in Iraq

Washington, D.C., March 2026 : The United States Air Force has confirmed that all six crew members aboard a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker that crashed in western Iraq during a military mission have died.

According to a statement issued by United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the aircraft went down on March 12 while flying over friendly airspace during the ongoing military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.

“All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refuelling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased,” the statement said.

Military officials stated that the aircraft was operating over western Iraq when contact was lost. The crash occurred while the aircraft was performing a mission linked to aerial refuelling operations supporting other aircraft involved in the operation.

Authorities said an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident. Preliminary information suggests that the aircraft’s loss was not the result of hostile action.

“The circumstances of the incident are under investigation,” the statement added.

Officials indicated that early findings do not point to enemy involvement or accidental fire from friendly forces.

“However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” the military statement said.

The identities of the six service members killed in the crash have not yet been released. U.S. military officials explained that standard procedures require that the names be withheld until the families of the deceased personnel have been formally notified.

“The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified,” officials said.

The KC-135 Stratotanker is a critical aerial refuelling aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force to extend the operational range and endurance of combat, surveillance and transport aircraft during missions. The aircraft typically carries a crew responsible for flight operations as well as refuelling support.

Officials said further details about the crash will be released once the investigation progresses.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)