All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker that crashed in western Iraq on Thursday have been confirmed deceased, U.S. Central Command announced Friday, delivering the final, tragic toll from the non-combat incident.
In an updated statement posted to social media, CENTCOM confirmed that rescue efforts for the remaining two personnel had ended, with no survivors found.
All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased, the command stated.
The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury, it added.
The announcement comes less than 24 hours after CENTCOM initially reported four fatalities, with two crew members still unaccounted for. The search and rescue operation has now transitioned to a recovery mission.
Military officials emphasized that the crash was not the result of enemy action, providing some measure of closure regarding the circumstances of the tragedy.
The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire, CENTCOM reiterated in Friday’s statement.
The clarification rules out combat-related causes, focusing investigators’ attention on mechanical failure, pilot error, or other non-combat factors that may have contributed to the crash.
In accordance with longstanding military protocol, the identities of the fallen airmen are being withheld until families have been formally notified.
The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified, CENTCOM said, underscoring the military’s commitment to ensuring families receive the news through official channels before any public release of information.Breaking News Alerts
The 24-hour waiting period allows military casualty assistance officers to complete the difficult process of personally informing each family, a tradition the Air Force treats with solemn reverence.
The KC-135 Stratotanker is a mainstay of U.S. Air Force aerial refueling operations, capable of transferring fuel to fighter jets, bombers, and reconnaissance aircraft mid-flight. The aircraft extends the range and loiter time of combat aircraft, making it a critical asset in sustained operations.
Each KC-135 typically carries a crew of three to six personnel, including pilots, boom operators, and navigators. The loss of six airmen represents a significant blow to the unit involved and the broader Air Force community.
The aircraft was operating as part of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military campaign that began in late February in coordination with Israeli forces against Iranian targets. While CENTCOM has released limited details about the operation’s scope, it forms part of the broader U.S. response to regional tensions.
The crash site in western Iraq lies in an area where U.S. forces have historically operated closely with Iraqi security forces. The location, while considered friendly airspace, presents logistical challenges for recovery operations.
The KC-135 crash marks the fourth publicly known aircraft loss linked to U.S. operations since the Iran war began late last month. Three F-15E Strike Eagle jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti forces earlier in the conflict in a tragic friendly fire incident.
However, Thursday’s crash is the first attributed to non-hostile causes, and with six fatalities, it represents the deadliest single incident for U.S. forces since operations commenced.
