KC-135 reported down in Iraq.
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KC-135 reported down in Iraq.
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Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq > U.S. Central Command > Press Release View
Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq > U.S. Central Command > Press Release View
Press Release | March 12, 2026
TAMPA, Fla. -- 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 second landed safely.
This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.
More information will be made available as the situation develops. We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members.
Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq
USCENTCOMTAMPA, Fla. -- 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 second landed safely.
This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.
More information will be made available as the situation develops. We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members.
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13th March 2026, 04:04
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From: Land of the 'Long White Cloud'
You never know, one might have been refueling the other. Whatever happened a KC -135 crew have been lost RIP boys & girls. Blue skies from a retired AWACS Capt.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
May be the other aircraft involved.
USAF United States Air Force - Emergency
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 1x AE07C1 63-8017 - MOBIL ??
USAF KC-135 63-8017 is squawking 7700 General Emergency off the Israeli coast, and appears to be burning down some fuel before landing.
This particular KC-135 is 62 years old and has been flying daily sorties over Jordan since it arrived in Tel Aviv as REACH 169 on the 6th of March.
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 1x AE07C1 63-8017 - MOBIL ??
USAF KC-135 63-8017 is squawking 7700 General Emergency off the Israeli coast, and appears to be burning down some fuel before landing.
This particular KC-135 is 62 years old and has been flying daily sorties over Jordan since it arrived in Tel Aviv as REACH 169 on the 6th of March.
According to CBS News, the other aircraft involved in the crash of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker tonight over Western Iraq was another KC-135, with the tanker that went down in Iraq carrying a total of six service members, while the other tanker was able to safely return to Israel.
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From: Too far South
Breaking news
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4gqjyk0vx3t
US tanker has crashed in Iraq - hostile/friendly fire not thought to be the cause.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4gqjyk0vx3t
US tanker has crashed in Iraq - hostile/friendly fire not thought to be the cause.
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From: Up yer nose, again.
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Well, I'm never sure what to believe that I see on the face site, but there's a picture of a KC-135 with the top of the vertical stabilizer missing...
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From: S.E.Asia
If it’s not a stupid question why were the two tanker’s flying so close they collided?
Israel and the US are strictly controlling what journalists report in this mad adventure.
Israel and the US are strictly controlling what journalists report in this mad adventure.
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 13th March 2026 at 06:17.
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From: Land of the 'Long White Cloud'
You never know, one might have been refueling the other. Whatever happened a KC -135 crew have been lost RIP boys & girls. Blue skies from a retired AWACS Capt.
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From: overthere
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One tanker getting ready to leave station will often transfer excess fuel to the tanker coming on station.
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From: UK
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From: Nanaimo (CAC8)
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It gives them more fuel available to offload. Amounts would be dependent on how far they traveled to get on station and available takeoff performance at the departure point as well as how long they had already been on station.
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From: Reading, UK
The circumstances of the collision seem unclear, with no confirmation that refuelling was taking place at the time. It isn't immediately obvious how that could result in one of the two having the top of the v/stab cut off, but I guess anything is possible.
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From: Dorset
Confirmed Lost
Just confirmed by Centcom - 4 crew members died in the KC -135 crash. I would expect to hear that any other crew will also have lost their lives sadly. Mid air collision? Whatever, tankers are very vulnerable to all threats , GBAD, AtoA and possible collisions.
Very sad that this may have been a blue on blue however it occurred.
Tanker crews have no chance, no bang seats, no parachutes…. RIP.
Very sad that this may have been a blue on blue however it occurred.
Tanker crews have no chance, no bang seats, no parachutes…. RIP.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
I've not seen any references to that airframe being one of the (I think) eight KC-135RT's.
The circumstances of the collision seem unclear, with no confirmation that refuelling was taking place at the time. It isn't immediately obvious how that could result in one of the two having the top of the v/stab cut off, but I guess anything is possible.
The circumstances of the collision seem unclear, with no confirmation that refuelling was taking place at the time. It isn't immediately obvious how that could result in one of the two having the top of the v/stab cut off, but I guess anything is possible.
