WASHINGTON (AP) – A U.S. military refueling aircraft, a KC-135 Stratotanker, crashed in Iraq while supporting operations against Iran, according to U.S. Central Command on Thursday. The incident prompted swift rescue efforts, although it remains unclear if there were any casualties among the crew members onboard the aircraft.
The U.S. official who spoke anonymously revealed that the KC-135 had at least five crew members when it went down in western Iraq. Central Command confirmed that the crash was not the result of enemy or friendly fire, deeming it a "loss." In a statement, the Command indicated that two KC-135 aircraft were operating together at the time of the incident; one successfully landed while the other crashed.
This KC-135 downturn marks the fourth acknowledged crash of U.S. military aircraft amid ongoing operations against Iran. Just last week, three American fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by friendly fire from Kuwaiti forces. Fortunately, all six crew members onboard the F-15E Strike Eagles ejected safely and were reported to be in stable condition after recovery efforts.
The Pentagon announced earlier in the week that seven American troops have died in combat operations related to the Iran war, while around 140 service members have sustained injuries, eight of which are classified as severe. Both President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have expressed concerns that the conflict in Iran could claim additional American lives as it continues to unfold.
Among the fatalities reported, six service members were killed in a drone strike conducted by Iran on an operations center located at a civilian port in Kuwait. They were part of the Army Reserve and were assigned logistics roles to ensure the flow of supplies, including food and equipment, for U.S. troops. This tragedy occurred a day after the U.S. and Israel initiated military action against Iran on February 28, intensifying tensions in the region, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks from the Islamic Republic against Israel and U.S. allied Gulf states.
The seventh service member lost their life following injuries they sustained during an attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 1. President Trump participated in a dignified transfer ceremony for the remains of the first six fallen soldiers at Dover Air Force Base, where Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Hegseth also paid their respects as the transfer case for the seventh soldier arrived.
The KC-135, involved in the recent crash, is based on the Boeing 707 design and has been in military service for over six decades. Throughout its operational life, the aircraft has undergone various upgrades and modifications. Typically, a KC-135 has a three-member crew, though it remains uncertain what the additional crew members were tasked with during this specific flight.
As of last year, the Air Force operated a total of 376 KC-135 aircraft, of which 151 were on active duty, along with 163 in the Air National Guard and 62 in the Air Force Reserve. U.S. Central Command has promised to provide more information as the situation develops and has requested patience from families awaiting updates about their loved ones involved in the incident.
