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KC-135 reported down in Iraq.
Breaking
Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq > U.S. Central Command > Press Release View Press Release | March 12, 2026 Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over IraqUSCENTCOMTAMPA, 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. |
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. 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. |
KC-135 63-8017 is one of the few KC-135s that are capable of receiving fuel from another tanker.
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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. |
KC-135 reported down in Iraq.
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Probably a mid-air collision. The other KC-135 declared a mayday and landed in Tel Aviv. Sad day.
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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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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. |
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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Originally Posted by MK 4A Tank
(Post 12051363)
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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Ex Nimrod Capt too - but spent many a sortie receiving fuel from the mighty KC-135 in the AWACS.
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Originally Posted by Mike Flynn
(Post 12051358)
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. |
Originally Posted by Sailvi767
(Post 12051405)
One tanker getting ready to leave station will often transfer excess fuel to the tanker coming on station.
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From the Military forum:
Originally Posted by k3k3
(Post 12051253)
KC-135 63-8017 is one of the few KC-135s that are capable of receiving fuel from another tanker.
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Originally Posted by Complex_Type
(Post 12051462)
I’m curious about the reason for that? Is it because of fully loaded take off performance?
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Originally Posted by k3k3
(Post 12051253)
KC-135 63-8017 is one of the few KC-135s that are capable of receiving fuel from another tanker.
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 are still unclear, with no confirmation that I've seen yet that one was refuelling the other.
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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. |
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. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....d69f539522.png https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....28d12a86be.png |
Makes me think back with dread to the Jet Blue A320 near miss with a KC135 near Curaçao.
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