Four American service members have been killed after a US refuelling aircraft crashed in Iraq, according to officials.
US Central Command had said it was carrying out rescue efforts after the KC-135 aircraft went down in the west of the country. A second aircraft landed safely.
Officials at the command centre later confirmed that four of six crew members onboard had died as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran continues to rage.
Although the reason for the crash is unclear, it is not believed to have been shot down.
A spokesperson said in a statement: “At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a US KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq.
“Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.
“The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified. “
Despite this report from the US, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft.
The group said in a statement it had shot down the KC-135 aircraft “in defence of our country’s sovereignty and airspace”.
This claim cannot yet be verified but has been denied by American officials.
Four Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 13, 2026
TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue.
The…
The KC-135, built by Boeing in the 1950s and early 1960s, has served as the backbone of the US military’s air refuelling fleet and is critical to allow aircraft to carry out missions without having to land.
Seven American troops have been killed since the US and Israel started carrying out strikes against Iran on February 28, with as many as 150 reported to have been injured.
They include two US sailors who were injured after the USS Gerald Ford suffered a non-combat-related fire on board.
The United States has carried out strikes against more than 6,000 targets in Iran.
So far the war has killed more than 2,000 people, including almost 700 in Lebanon.
