U.S. military officials confirmed a KC-135 refueling tanker crashed in western Iraq on March 12, and four of the six airmen aboard have been declared deceased while the other two remain unaccounted for as investigations continue.
Yesterday a U.S. KC-135 tanker went down over western Iraq, sparking immediate search and rescue work in the area. Initial reports were cautious about casualties, and military spokespeople withheld details while crews worked at the scene.
This morning, CENTCOM provided a formal notice confirming the worst fears: four of the six crew members on the refueling aircraft were killed in the incident. Officials emphasized that rescue efforts continue and that investigators are working to establish exactly what happened.
CENTCOM’s official message was brief but direct, listing the known facts and the next steps in the process. Commanders also made clear that, based on current information, the loss of the aircraft was not the result of hostile or friendly fire.
Four Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq
TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue.
The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.
The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.
The two remaining crew members are still unaccounted for and search teams are continuing their work in challenging conditions. Military officials said they will release the identities of the deceased only after families have been notified, which follows long-established protocols.
Outside sources and officials familiar with the probe have said investigators are exploring several possible causes, including a mid-air collision, but no definitive public finding had been announced at the time of the statement. A second KC-135 involved in the broader operation reportedly suffered damage but managed to land safely, according to flight observers and tracking data.
It said the identities of the service members killed in the crash would be withheld until 24 hours after their families were notified. The crash brings the total number of U.S. service members killed since the U.S. and Israel launched the war with Iran on Feb. 28 to 11, including six forces killed in an Iranian strike on Kuwait and one killed in Saudi Arabia.
U.S. officials have told CBS News they believe the incident may have involved a mid-air collision, but they were still investigating.
Officials told CBS News on Thursday that a second U.S. Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker was damaged but landed safely Thursday, but there were no further details available on that aircraft by Friday morning. According to flight tracking service FlightRadar24, a KC-135 tanker declared an emergency before landing in Tel Aviv Thursday evening.
Observers on social platforms shared images showing noticeable tail damage to the second KC-135 after it landed, though such images have not been independently verified by military authorities. Those photos and videos added urgency to the investigation and raised more questions about how two large tankers could be involved in an accident during a busy operational tempo.
Officials noted these are the first Air Force fatalities tied directly to Operation Epic Fury, which began with strikes after Feb. 28. Other U.S. service members have died since the start of the strikes, and the incident adds a somber chapter to an already costly campaign.
The Pentagon scheduled a press briefing for the morning following the crash to provide updates and to address questions from the press pool. Military leaders said they would offer what information they could while maintaining respect for the families and the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
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