The U.S. military confirmed on Friday, March 14, 2026, that all six crew members aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq are dead. The announcement was made by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees operations in the Middle East.
The aircraft crashed while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led coalition mission against the Islamic State group. CENTCOM stated the cause of the crash is under investigation and that there were no indications it was caused by enemy fire.
The incident marks a significant loss for U.S. Air Force operations in the region. The KC-135 is a critical asset for aerial refueling, extending the range and endurance of fighter jets and other aircraft involved in combat and surveillance missions.
Officials have not released the identities of the deceased service members, pending notification of their families. The crash site is being secured, and recovery operations are underway.
