USA-Israel-Iran War: US KC-135 Refuelling Aircraft Crashes in Iraq During Operation Epic Fury, Rescue Mission Underway

A search-and-rescue operation has been launched after a US military aerial refueling plane crashed in western Iraq during a mission connected to rising tensions with Iran. The aircraft involved was a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, which went down while supporting operations under Operation Epic Fury, according to US defence officials. Authorities stated that at least five crew members were on board the aircraft when the accident occurred, although some reports suggested there could have been six personnel. The tanker is generally operated by a three-member crew, but additional individuals were present on this flight, and their specific responsibilities have not yet been revealed.

The United States Central Command confirmed that two KC-135 tanker aircraft were assigned to the same mission. One of the aircraft completed its task and landed safely, while the other crashed while flying in what officials described as “friendly airspace.” Military authorities emphasised that there was no indication the aircraft had been struck by enemy fire or mistakenly targeted by allied forces. Investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of the crash, while recovery teams continue their search and rescue efforts at the site of the incident.

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

Despite the US military stating that the tanker was not brought down by hostile action, a coalition of Iran-aligned militias in Iraq has claimed responsibility for the incident. A group identifying itself as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq released a statement asserting that its fighters had targeted the aircraft. According to the organisation, the alleged attack was conducted to protect Iraq’s sovereignty and airspace, as reported by India Today. However, these claims have not been independently verified, and American officials have not confirmed any militant involvement in the crash.

The KC-135 Stratotanker has played a critical role in US air power for many decades. Manufactured by Boeing during the Cold War era, the aircraft was designed to provide mid-air refuelling for fighter jets, bombers and other military planes. This function enables combat aircraft to remain airborne for extended periods and conduct missions far from their home bases. Because of this capability, tanker aircraft form a key component of long-range military operations, particularly in conflict zones where sustained aerial presence is required.

The crash occurred amid growing military escalation across the Middle East. Since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against targets linked to Iran, several American service members have been killed in related incidents. Six US personnel died after a drone strike hit a civilian port facility in Kuwait, while another soldier later died from injuries sustained during an earlier attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

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According to the United States Department of Defense, approximately 140 American troops have been wounded since the conflict intensified. Among those injured, eight suffered serious wounds requiring advanced medical treatment. A report by Reuters suggested that the total number of injured personnel could be closer to 150, indicating the scale of the rising casualties as tensions continue to mount across the region.

The day the tanker crashed also witnessed several other incidents involving US forces stationed in the Middle East. Two sailors sustained injuries after a non-combat fire broke out aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN‑78) aircraft carrier. In a separate event elsewhere in the region, another military aircraft encountered an emergency situation. All six crew members aboard a F‑15E Strike Eagle managed to eject safely and were later reported to be in stable condition, preventing further casualties in the incident.