HIGHMILITARY
US KC-135 refueling aircraft crashes in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury — rescue ongoing
·Western Iraq
CENTCOM confirmed a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq in an apparent accident during Operation Epic Fury. Two aircraft were involved. One went down in western Iraq; the second landed safely. CENTCOM stated the incident was not due to hostile or friendly fire. Rescue efforts are ongoing.
US Central Command confirmed on Thursday evening March 12 that a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq in an apparent accident during Operation Epic Fury — the name of US operations against Iran. CENTCOM said in a statement: "The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely." CENTCOM explicitly stated the incident was "not due to hostile fire or friendly fire." This is the most significant US aircraft loss of the campaign, though its non-combat nature means it reflects operational risk rather than enemy action. No casualty count was immediately available. The KC-135 is a critical tanker aircraft that enables the long-range air campaign against Iran.
Actor responses
CENTCOM: KC-135 crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury. Apparent accident — not hostile or friendly fire. Second aircraft landed safely. Rescue ongoing.
Update: Second KC-135 involved in incident landed at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel, with emergency 7700 squawk code active. Rescue efforts for crashed aircraft ongoing in western Iraq.