New Delhi: An American KC-135 aircraft, used in refuelling crashed in western Iraq, while another American jet managed to land safely, said the US military
in a statement. The US Central Command confirmed the loss of the aircraft, and said that rescue efforts were on.
The US military confirmed that the aircraft was not hit by Iran.
Aircraft did not go down in hostile fire: US Central Command
The US Central Command in a post on social media platform, ‘X’ said, “US Central Command is aware of the loss of a US 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 second landed safely.”
They added, “This was not due to hostile or friendly fire.”
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
The US Army however did not confirm how exactly the KC-135, which is a refuelling jet crashed. The US Central Command is responsible for American forces in the Middle East.
The KC-135 is the fourth American aircraft lost in the ongoing war against Iran, reported NDTV. The other 3 planes that the country lost were F-15s, all of which went down in friendly fire over Kuwait.
All about KC-15 aircraft of the US Air Force
America has had KC-135 jets for more than 60 years now. This jet operates with 3 crew members, 1 pilot, 1 co-pilot and a third expert who helps operate the boom used to refuel other aircraft, according to the US Air Force.
However, some KC-15s used by America have more carrying capacity. They can carry up to 37 passengers and need a navigator to operate.
According to reports, the Kuwait military mistakenly shot down 3 American F-15s as the Israel-US versus Iran war had just begun. The US military however confirmed that all the pilots, co-pilots in these planes managed to eject safely.
