4 Crew Members Killed in U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker Crash in Iraq
TAMPA, Fla., March 13, 2026 — An official report has confirmed the deaths of four crew members following the crash of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker in western Iraq on March 12. The incident occurred around 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time when the aircraft, primarily used for aerial refueling, went down during operations in the area. At the time of the crash, the KC-135 carried a total of six crew members.
Military authorities have announced the deaths of four crew members while ongoing search and recovery efforts continue at the crash location.
Officials have ruled out hostile or friendly fire as the cause of the aircraft's loss, indicating that no enemy action was involved in the incident. Investigative teams are currently working to uncover the details surrounding the crash.
The KC-135 Stratotanker serves as a vital component in global U.S. military operations, providing essential aerial refueling capabilities to a range of aircraft including fighter jets, bombers, and surveillance planes, thereby extending their operational reach and duration.
In line with Department of Defense policy, officials have stated that the names of the deceased service members will not be released until at least 24 hours after their families have been notified.
Additional information is anticipated as the investigation into the crash continues and recovery efforts proceed in the affected area of western Iraq.
