dailynewsnblog
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Last Updated: 9:01 PM EDT MAR 12 2026 by Daniel Osipov
An aerial refueler operating for the United States Air Force has been lost over Iraq. In a public statement issued by the US Central Command on Thursday, March 12, it’s been confirmed that the aircraft involved was a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, flying over friendly airspace over western Iraq as part of Operation Epic Fury, and that the accident was not due to hostile or friendly fire.
There were two aircraft involved in the accident, and the US Central Command has confirmed that the second aircraft involved has landed safely. Reportedly, the second aircraft was another KC-135, and it would appear that the aircraft collided with the lost KC-135 midair. Rescue operations are ongoing, and Simple Flying has reached out to the United States Air Force for further comment.
This is a breaking news story; stay tuned for further updates.
Image Posted Of Involved Aircraft On X
An image has been posted on X of the other KC-135 involved in this accident. The image was taken at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport and depicts 63-8017 with a severely damaged vertical stabilizer. This same aircraft squawked 7700 at the same time as the accident before landing at Tel Aviv.
USAF Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Lost Over Iraq
The US Central Command has confirmed that a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker has been lost while flying over western Iraq. This aircraft was operating during Operation Epic Fury, the joint US-Israeli military offensive against Iran, but was operating in friendly airspace. It’s been confirmed by the US Central Command that the accident was not due to enemy activity or friendly fire.
Rescue operations are underway in Iraq. It is unknown what the exact operation that the lost KC-135 was involved in, or its phase of flight. It is also unknown how many occupants were onboard the lost Stratotanker, and if there were any injuries or casualties. Simple Flying has reached out to the United States Air Force for additional details and is awaiting a response. In its public statement, the US Central Command asks for “continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members“.
It’s been confirmed that a second aircraft, registered as 63-8017, was involved in this accident and that this plane landed safely at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport. Images depict that the aircraft sustained significant damage to its vertical stabilizer, indicating a possible midair collision.
The Aircraft Involved In The Accident
The aircraft involved in the accident was a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, an aerial refueler developed from the Boeing 367-80 concept (which was also developed into the seperate Boeing 707 airliner). Currently, the United States Air Force has 123 KC-135Rs and 28 KC-135Ts in active duty. These aircraft have been in service for decades, and the designations indicate that they’re equipped with the CFM56 engine.
This is the first crash of a Boeing KC-135 in roughly 13 years. In 2013, a KC-135R crashed in Kyrgyzstan shortly after takeoff, killing all three crew members onboard. This accident was attributed to a Dutch roll caused by a malfunctioning autopilot, which the crew was not fully trained to respond to, leading to an in-flight breakup.
The KC-135 is one of the US Air Force’s longest-serving aircraft, having first entered service in the 1950s. The USAF heavily relies on these planes, and they continue to prove effective. Across 69 years of service, 52 Boeing KC-135s have been lost in accidents, although many of these accidents occurred during the type’s first several years. This is only the third accident involving the KC-135 to occur in the 21st century.
Pilots Safe After Friendly Fire Downs 3 US F-15Es In Kuwait
An investigation into the incident has been launched.
American Losses In Operation Epic Fury
The United States and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran on February 28, 2026. This offensive has primarily been an air campaign involving missiles, drones, and manned aircraft, with the USAF having deployed over 150 aircraft, including multiple KC-135 Stratotankers.
The lost KC-135 is the fourth manned aircraft that has been destroyed amid Operation Epic Fury. On March 2, three American Boeing F-15E Strike Eagles were shot down by US ally Kuwait, in a friendly fire incident. All six crew members onboard the fighters safely ejected.
|
Accident Date |
Aircraft Involved |
Location |
Nature Of Accident |
|---|---|---|---|
|
March 12, 2026 |
2x Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker |
Iraq |
Possible midair accident, one aircraft destroyed |
|
March 2, 2026 |
3x Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle |
Kuwait |
Friendly fire by Kuwait, all aircraft destroyed |
In addition to these losses, 11 MQ-9 Reaper drones have been shot down by Iranian forces during Operation Epic Fury, costing the US government at least $300 million. On the ground, seven US service members have lost their lives, and roughly 140 additional service members have been wounded, eight of which have been seriously injured.
