U.S. Central Command confirmed six service members died when a KC-135 aerial refueling tanker crashed in western Iraq. CENTCOM said the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire and that an investigation is ongoing. Officials are probing a possible midair collision; a second KC-135 was damaged but landed safely. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine reported three of the dead served with the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing.
Six U.S. Airmen Killed After KC-135 Tanker Crashes in Western Iraq; Investigation Ongoing
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 aircraft flies over Venlo, Netherlands, on March 2, 2026. / Credit: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty(Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
U.S. Central Command confirmed Friday that six U.S. service members died when a KC-135 Stratotanker supporting operations against Iran crashed in western Iraq. CENTCOM said the loss was not the result of hostile or friendly fire and that the circumstances remain under investigation.
The military will withhold the crew members' names until at least 24 hours after next-of-kin notifications are complete. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said three of the six victims were members of the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing.
Initial Findings and Flight Details
U.S. officials told CBS News investigators are considering a possible midair collision as one potential cause. A second KC-135 involved in the same incident was damaged but landed safely; flight-tracking service FlightRadar24 reported a KC-135 declared an emergency before landing in Tel Aviv. An Iraqi intelligence source said the tanker that crashed came down near Turaibil, close to the Iraqi–Jordanian border.
Officials' Response
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the fallen crew "American heroes," saying the crash illustrates the chaos and dangers of war. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the crew was on a combat mission over friendly territory when the crash occurred and asked the public to keep the airmen and their families in their thoughts.
Wider Context
The crash raises the reported U.S. death toll to 13 since hostilities involving the United States and Israel against Iran began on Feb. 28, including six personnel killed in an Iranian strike on Kuwait and one killed in Saudi Arabia. Central Command said both KC-135s were connected to the same incident. This is the fourth U.S. aircraft loss publicly linked to Operation Epic Fury; earlier in the week three F-15E Strike Eagles were lost in a friendly-fire episode, though all six crew members ejected safely.
Recovery and Investigation
U.S. forces mount Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) missions to secure crash sites, recover crew if possible, and protect or destroy sensitive equipment. Such operations are rapid and risky. Investigators continue to gather evidence and review flight data to determine the cause of the crash; officials have released limited details while the inquiry proceeds.
Note: Officials have emphasized there is no indication the loss resulted from hostile or friendly fire, and details remain preliminary.
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