New York, March 13: US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Friday that four American service members were killed when a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during military operations against Iran. The crash occurred at approximately 2:00 pm ET on Thursday, March 12, near the Turaibil border crossing along the Iraqi-Jordanian border. While four of the six crew members on board have been confirmed deceased, military officials stated that rescue efforts remain underway for the remaining two personnel.

The incident involved a second KC-135 aircraft that was reportedly damaged but managed to land safely in Tel Aviv, Israel. CENTCOM officials emphasised that the loss of the aircraft was not the result of hostile action or "friendly fire" from coalition forces, describing the event as a tragic operational accident within friendly airspace. The mission was part of "Operation Epic Fury," the ongoing US-led military campaign that began on February 28 following escalating tensions in the Middle East. US Military Refueling Plane Crash: KC-135 Aircraft Crashes in Iraq, Rescue Efforts Underway.

4 Killed After US KC-135 Plane Crashes in Iraq, CENTCOM Confirms

4 Killed After US KC-135 Plane Crashes in Iraq

According to the latest military briefings, the identities of the fallen service members are being withheld for at least 24 hours until their next of kin have been fully notified. The search and recovery operation is being conducted under high-intensity conditions, as the region remains a volatile theater of war.

This fatal crash brings the total number of US service members killed since the start of the Iran conflict to 11. Previous fatalities include six personnel killed in a drone strike on a port in Kuwait and one soldier who died from wounds sustained in Saudi Arabia. Donald Trump Says He Had ‘Very Good’ Phone Call With Vladimir Putin on Russia-Ukraine War, Middle East Conflict.

Role of the KC-135 Stratotanker

The KC-135 Stratotanker is considered the "workhorse" of the US Air Force’s aerial refueling fleet. These aircraft are critical to the current campaign, as they allow fighter jets and bombers to remain airborne for extended periods to strike targets deep within Iranian territory without returning to base for fuel.

Unlike modern fighter jets, the KC-135 is an aging platform that does not possess ejection seats for its crew, making mid-air incidents significantly more lethal. This specific crash marks the fourth publicly acknowledged US aircraft loss since the February 28 launch of Operation Epic Fury.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 13, 2026 03:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).