Four crew members aboard a US military KC-135 Stratotanker have been killed following a crash in western Iraq, US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed on Thursday. Two other crew members survived the incident.
Centcom said rescue operations are ongoing and stressed that neither hostile nor friendly fire was involved in the crash. A second tanker flying in formation with the aircraft landed safely.
The crash occurred around 14:00 ET (19:00 GMT) while the tanker was supporting US operations in the region. The identities of the deceased are being withheld for 24 hours to allow notification of their next of kin.
The KC-135 Stratotanker, a Boeing aircraft developed in the 1950s and 1960s, is essential for midair refuelling of US fighter jets and bombers, extending mission range without the need to land. Its typical crew includes a pilot, co-pilot, and boom operator responsible for controlling the refuelling arm.
Although Centcom reported the crash took place over friendly airspace, the area is known for activity by pro-Iranian militias. Iran’s military claimed on state television that an allied group had targeted the plane with a missile.
This is the fourth US aircraft lost since the US-Israel conflict with Iran escalated, with seven American personnel confirmed dead so far. Earlier in March, three F-15s were downed in what officials described as a friendly fire incident over Kuwait; all six crew members survived.
The KC-135 has been a cornerstone of the US air refuelling fleet since the first Gulf War, providing critical support for long-range missions. Centcom confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash.
Officials say the incident underscores the risks faced by US forces operating in volatile airspace while continuing missions in support of military operations across the Middle East.
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