Four of the six crew members aboard a US military KC-135 refueling plane that crashed in western Iraq have been found dead, the US military said.
“Four of the six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed dead as rescue efforts continue,” US Central Command said in a statement.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to enemy fire or friendly fire,” it added.
Although details of those killed have not been released, according to The Associated Press, the KC-135 has a basic crew of three people: a pilot, a copilot and a boom operator. Air evacuation missions are joined by nurses and medical technicians.
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A US military refueling plane crashed in western Iraq on Thursday amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The United States has deployed large numbers of aircraft to the Middle East to participate in operations against Iran.
An Iranian group claims responsibility
While the US has not clarified what led to the crash, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of armed factions backed by Iran, has claimed responsibility for downing the KC-135 refueling aircraft, which is estimated to be worth $79 million.
What is the KC-135 Stratotanker
The KC-135 Stratotanker is a US Air Force aircraft used to refuel other aircraft in the air, allowing them to travel longer distances and sustain operations longer without landing. The aircraft is also used to transport injured personnel during medical evacuations or to conduct surveillance missions, according to military experts.
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The tanker, based on the same design as the Boeing 707 passenger jet, has been in service for more than 60 years and supports the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as allied aircraft, according to the Air Force description. The aging aircraft will be phased out as the Air Force receives its full complement of next-generation KC-46A Pegasus tankers.
Despite upgrades over the years, the age of the KC-135 has fueled concerns about their reliability and durability.
Refueling usually takes place in the rear of the aircraft where the boom operator is located. The fuel boom is lowered to engage fighters, bombers or other aircraft. On many aircraft, the boom operator works lying face down, looking out of a window on the underside of the aircraft.
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Some KC-135s can also refuel aircraft from underwing pods. Tankers also have space above the fuel stores to carry cargo or passengers when needed.
11 US soldiers have been killed so far
With four more dead Thursday, the total number of U.S. troops killed during Operation Epic Fury has risen to 11. Another 140 U.S. service members have also been wounded during the two weeks of conflict.
Most of these casualties occurred on March 1, 2026, when an Iranian one-way attack drone struck a makeshift operations center in a port in Kuwait.
The US lost three F-15s to friendly fire
In addition to the KC-135 refueling aircraft, the US also lost three F-15E Strike Eagle fighters that were lost in a “friendly fire” incident over Kuwait. According to Centcom, the fighters were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses during a period of intense fighting with Iranian missiles and drones. All six crew members from these jets ejected safely and were recovered.
Key things
- The US military continues to face significant challenges in the ongoing conflict with Iran, which has resulted in many casualties.
- The KC-135 Stratotanker plays a vital role in air operations, but its aging design raises reliability concerns.
- The incident highlights the dangers military personnel face in modern conflicts, even when they are not directly involved in combat.
