U.S. Central Command Confirms All Six Crew Members Deceased in Iraq KC-135 Aircraft Crash

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TAMPA, Fla., March 13, 2026: In a somber update following a military aviation disaster, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that all six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft are deceased.

The aircraft went down in western Iraq on March 12 while operating in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury. Initial reports from the command indicate that while the specific circumstances of the crash remain under active investigation, authorities have definitively ruled out both hostile fire and friendly fire as causes for the tragic loss of the Stratotanker.

The U.S. military is currently in the process of notifying the families of the fallen service members. In accordance with standard Department of Defense policy, the identities of the deceased are being withheld until 24 hours after the next of kin have been officially informed.

This incident marks a significant loss for the mission in Iraq, and CENTCOM officials have stated that every resource is being dedicated to determining the technical or environmental factors that led to the aircraft going down during a routine flight in a non-combat environment.