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US Military Refueling Plane Crashes in Iraq, All 6 Crew Members Killed

The United States Central Command has confirmed that all six crew members aboard a US KC-135 refueling aircraft died after it crashed in western Iraq. The incident occurred on March 12 during Operation Epic Fury in what is described as friendly airspace. CENTCOM states the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, though Iranian state media claims resistance groups shot the plane down. The names of the deceased service members are being withheld pending family notification.

Key Points: US KC-135 Crashes in Iraq, 6 Crew Dead | CENTCOM Confirms

  • All six crew members confirmed dead
  • Crash occurred during Operation Epic Fury
  • Incident under investigation
  • Iran claims plane was shot down
2 min read

All six crew members killed after US refuelling aircraft crashes in Western Iraq, confirms CENTCOM

CENTCOM confirms all 6 crew killed in US KC-135 Stratotanker crash in western Iraq. Incident under investigation, not due to hostile fire.

"The loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. - US CENTCOM statement"

Florida, March 14

The United States Central Command on Friday confirmed that all six crew members aboard the US KC-135 refuelling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq on March 12 have died.

According to a statement by the US CENTCOM, the aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury. The circumstances surrounding the crash are under investigation, but officials confirmed that the incident was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire.

"The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," the statement read.

The Command said the names of the deceased service members will be withheld until at least 24 hours after their families have been notified.

Earlier on Thursday, the US CENTCOM confirmed the loss of a US Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft over Iraq while supporting military operations, according to an official press release.

According to a release, CENTCOM stated that the incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, the US-led operation against the Iranian regime to dismantle the security apparatus and prioritise locations that pose an imminent threat.

"Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, while the second aircraft was able to land safely," the release said.

"This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," the release added.

However, Iran's state media, citing the spokesman for the Central Headquarters of Iran's Military, claimed that the US military refuelling plane was shot down by a missile fired by resistance groups in Western Iraq.

The spokesperson further told Press TV that all six of the service members on board had been killed.

The Public Relations Department of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) also said in a statement that the air defence systems of the Resistance Front succeeded in targeting a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker tanker while it was refuelling an aggressor fighter jet, Press TV reported.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
This is a terrible accident. As someone with family in the military, my heart goes out to the families waiting for that notification. The "Operation Epic Fury" name says a lot about the ongoing tensions in that region. A sobering reminder of the risks.
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Arjun K
The immediate denial of hostile fire by CENTCOM and the immediate claim of responsibility by Iran-backed groups through their media... this is classic information warfare. The truth is often the first casualty. India must watch these developments closely given our energy and diaspora interests in the Gulf.
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Priyanka N
Six lives lost. So young probably. Whatever the cause—mechanical or missile—it's a human tragedy. The article mentions the second aircraft landed safely. Thank God for that. The families of those six will need immense strength.
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Vikram M
Respectfully, while the loss of life is sad, we must also question the constant US military presence in West Asia. "Operation Epic Fury" against Iran? This perpetual conflict destabilizes the entire region, impacting global oil prices and security. India's foreign policy of strategic autonomy is the right approach.
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Michael C
KC-135 is a workhorse but an old airframe. Mechanical failure is a real possibility, especially in harsh operational environments. The investigation will be key. Terrible news for the Air Force community.

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