BAGHDAD, Iraq – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed the crash of a KC-135 Stratotanker in western Iraq late Thursday. The aircraft was operating in support of Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S. and coalition campaign against Iran.
According to a statement from CENTCOM, the crash occurred in “friendly airspace” and involved a second aircraft. While the second plane—reported to be another refueling tanker—landed safely at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, the KC-135 went down following what officials describe as an “incident” during flight.
Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Search and rescue operations are currently underway in the region to locate the crew.
- Crew Status: The condition and exact number of personnel on board remain unknown.
- Crew: CBS News reports the USAF KC 135 was carrying 6 crew members.
- Casualty Notification: Military officials have asked for “continued patience” as they gather details and work to notify next of kin.
Cause of the Incident
While the investigation is in its earliest stages, CENTCOM has been quick to rule out combat-related causes.
“This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” the command stated, suggesting the crash was the result of a mid-air mishap or mechanical failure during a refueling sortie.
This marks the first loss of a KC-135 in a combat theater since 2013. Unlike the F-15E Strike Eagles recently lost in a friendly-fire incident over Kuwait, the Stratotanker—a modified Boeing 707 airframe—is not equipped with ejection seats, making the search for survivors particularly urgent.
Context of Operation Epic Fury
The U.S. has surged nearly 14 aerial refueling tankers and dozens of bombers to the region to maintain high-tempo strikes, making the Stratotanker fleet the “backbone” of the ongoing air campaign.
