A US KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, prompting rescue efforts. Officials said the incident was not caused by hostile fire, while another aircraft landed safely.
A US Air Force aircraft crashed in Iraq amid the ongoing war in Iran, the United States Central Command confirmed on Thursday. The aircraft was carrying five crew members and the crash prompted a rescue operation in western Iraq where the incident took place. The aircraft was a KC-135 aerial tanker, a key platform used by the US military to refuel fighter jets and other aircraft during long-range missions.
While an Iran-backed Islamic group operating in Iraq has claimed responsibility for downing the plane, according to news agency Reuters, the US military has said that hostile action was not responsible for the crash.
In a statement, the US Central Command said two aircraft were involved in the incident. One aircraft landed safely, while the other went down over western Iraq.
“The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing,” the command said, referring to the US military campaign targeting Iran.
U.S. Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft. 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…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 12, 2026
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the situation is still developing, confirmed that the second aircraft involved in the incident was also a KC-135 tanker.
“More information will be made available as the situation develops,” Central Command said in a statement. “We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members”.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed armed factions, claimed responsibility for shooting down the US KC-135 refuelling aircraft, stating it was “in defence of our country’s sovereignty and airspace”.
The KC-135, manufactured by Boeing in the 1950s and early 1960s, has long been a central component of the US military’s air refuelling fleet. Its role is crucial, enabling US aircraft to extend missions without needing to land for fuel.
The tanker is the fourth aircraft publicly known to have crashed during the US military’s operations against Iran, according to the Associated Press. Last week, the US military confirmed that three American fighter jets were accidentally shot down by friendly Kuwaiti fire.
All six crew members aboard the F-15E Strike Eagles safely ejected and were in stable condition after being rescued, US officials said.