Six U.S. airmen killed as KC-135 crashes in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury

A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on March 12, 2026, during Operation Epic Fury.

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The crash resulted in the deaths of all six crew members.

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U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the fatalities after initially reporting four deaths with two crew members missing.

CENTCOM later updated to confirm all six had perished in the crash.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m. ET (19:00 GMT) in friendly airspace.

The crash took place during combat operations against Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury.

CENTCOM stressed that the crash was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire.

Rescue and recovery operations were conducted following the incident.

The identities of the deceased service members were withheld for 24 hours pending notification of next of kin.

The KC-135 Stratotanker involved in the crash was a Boeing-manufactured aircraft used for aerial refueling operations.

These aircraft support combat missions by extending the range and endurance of other aircraft.

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Two aircraft were reportedly involved in the incident, with one crashing while the second landed safely.

Flight tracking data indicated that the KC-135s had departed from Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday.

Only one of the KC-135s failed to return from the mission.

The crash marks the fourth U.S. aircraft lost since the beginning of the conflict with Iran on February 28.

Earlier losses included three F-15E fighter jets mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses.

The F-15 jets were lost during active combat operations against Iranian forces.

While CENTCOM definitively stated that the crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire, Iranian-backed groups claimed responsibility for the incident.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, asserted they shot down the KC-135 aircraft.

The group claimed the action was 'in defense of our country's sovereignty and airspace.'

Iranian military officials also claimed through state television that pro-Iranian armed groups struck the aircraft with a missile.

These Iranian claims stated that the crew did not survive the crash.

However, these claims were contradicted by U.S. military officials who maintained the incident was not due to enemy action.

U.S. officials suggested a possible midair collision with the second aircraft involved in the incident.

The conflicting narratives created uncertainty about the actual cause of the crash.

The six U.S. airmen killed in the crash included personnel from multiple states.

Three crew members were identified as being from the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing.

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Among the victims was Major Alex Klinner, 33, an eight-year Air Force veteran from Birmingham, Alabama.

Klinner had recently been promoted and left behind three young children - 7-month-old twins and a 2-year-old son.

Another victim was identified as Ohio service member Tyler Simmons, remembered for his infectious smile and strong presence.

The Pentagon withheld the identities of all casualties for 24 hours as standard procedure while notifying next of kin.

Family members began sharing details about their loved ones following the tragedy.

These personal stories highlighted the human cost behind the military statistics.

The loss of the KC-135 Stratotanker represents a significant setback for U.S. military operations during Operation Epic Fury.

The crash brings the total U.S. death toll in the conflict to at least 13 service members.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged the tragic nature of military operations.

Hegseth stated 'War is hell. War is chaos,' while emphasizing operations against Iran would continue.

The Boeing KC-135, first introduced in 1957, has been a workhorse of the Air Force for over 60 years.

It serves as the primary aerial refueling aircraft that enables extended combat missions.

The aircraft has a length of 41.5 meters and a wingspan of nearly 40 meters.

The KC-135 can carry payloads up to 38 tons, making its loss particularly impactful for ongoing operations.