Six crew members of the US Air Force were killed after a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in Iraq while conducting a mission as part of Operation Epic Fury.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the information on the morning of March 13. The agency previously reported four deaths, but the number was later updated to six service members.
According to CENTCOM, the aircraft crashed in friendly airspace, and initial investigation results show:
- No signs of being attacked
- No friendly fire from allied forces
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Two Aircraft Involved in the Mission
According to the US military, two KC-135 aircraft were participating in an aerial refueling mission.
- The first one crashed
- The second one landed safely
The identities of the crew members have not been released. The US military stated that information will be released after the service members' families have been formally notified.
Armed Group in Iraq Claims Responsibility
An alliance of pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed to have shot down the aircraft.
However, the US military asserted:
- There is no evidence that the aircraft was attacked.
US Casualties Rise in Operation Epic Fury
The accident brings the total number of US service members killed since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, 2026, to 13.
Previously:
- Six US reserve service members were killed in a drone attack at a US base in Kuwait
- Another service member died after being injured in an attack at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia
Operation Epic Fury enters its 14th day as the US continues attacks targeting Iran.
