An American military refuelling plane has crashed in Iraq, with rescue operations currently underway according to US Central Command. The incident occurred on Thursday 12 March 2026, involving two aircraft during ongoing military operations in the region.
Aircraft Incident Details
The downed aircraft has been identified as a KC-135 Stratotanker, a crucial refuelling platform for US Air Force operations. Military officials confirmed that two aircraft were involved in the incident, with one landing safely while the other crashed in western Iraq. US Central Command described the crashed aircraft as "a loss" in their official statement.
Military Operations Context
The KC-135 was participating in operations against Iran at the time of the crash, though military authorities have explicitly stated that the incident was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire. This marks the fourth publicly acknowledged aircraft crash during US military operations against Iran in recent weeks.
Last week, the US military confirmed that three American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire. In that incident, all six crew members safely ejected from their F-15E Strike Eagles and were reported to be in stable condition following recovery operations.
Casualty Status and Official Response
It remains unclear whether there were any casualties in the latest crash. US Central Command has requested patience while they gather additional details, stating: "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."
Broader Conflict Casualties
The Iran conflict has already claimed American lives, with seven US troops killed in combat operations to date. Six service members died when an Iranian drone struck an operations center at a civilian port in Kuwait, while the seventh succumbed to wounds sustained during an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, approximately 140 US service members have been wounded in the conflict, including eight severe cases, according to Pentagon figures released earlier this week. Both President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have previously warned that the Iran war would likely claim more American lives before its conclusion.
Ongoing Investigation
A US official speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed that both aircraft involved in Thursday's incident were KC-135 tankers. The investigation into the cause of the crash continues, with military authorities working to determine what led to the aircraft going down in western Iraq.
Rescue operations remain active at the crash site as military personnel work to secure the area and account for all crew members involved in the incident. The development underscores the ongoing risks faced by American military personnel engaged in Middle Eastern operations.
