US Military Aircraft Crashes in Iraq, Four Crew Members Killed

At least four crew members of a US military aircraft that crashed in western Iraq have been confirmed dead. Rescue efforts are ongoing for two other crew members.

A US KC-135 aircraft, which is an in-flight refuelling tanker, crashed in western Iraq on Thursday 12 March local time, according to Reuters reporting on Friday 13 March 2026.

US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, reported that six crew members were aboard the crashed aircraft. Four of them have been confirmed dead.

The condition of the two other crew members remains unclear. CENTCOM stated only that rescue efforts remain ongoing.

“Four of the six aircraft crew have been confirmed dead, whilst rescue efforts remain ongoing,” CENTCOM stated.

The identities of the deceased have not been disclosed to the public pending notification of next of kin.

CENTCOM confirmed that the aircraft did not crash as a result of hostile fire or friendly fire. According to CENTCOM, the incident involved another military aircraft, the type of which was not specified.

CENTCOM stated that of the two military aircraft involved in the incident, one crashed in western Iraq whilst the other landed safely.

The incident, according to CENTCOM, occurred in “allied airspace” during Operation Epic Fury, referring to the joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran, which commenced on 28 February. The US has deployed military assets and personnel to bases in Iraq.

The precise cause of the incident is under further investigation by US military authorities.

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. However, the aircraft’s crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire,” CENTCOM stated in its announcement on Friday 13 March.