Refueling plane crashes in 'friendly' Iraqi airspace, US says

John Harney, Bloomberg News on Mar 12, 2026

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A KC-135 refueling plane that was part of the American military campaign against Iran crashed over western Iraq after an incident involving another plane, U.S. Central Command said Thursday night.

“This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” Centcom said in a statement, adding that rescue efforts were underway and that the episode occurred “in friendly airspace.” The other aircraft landed safely, according to the statement, which did not provide details on the fate of the KC-135’s crew.

In the first days of the war, three U.S. fighter jets crashed in Kuwait after accidentally coming under fire by the country’s air defense forces. All six crew members ejected safely, officials said.

Seven U.S. service members have died since the war began on Feb. 28.

The KC-135 Stratotanker “provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 60 years,” according to an Air Force webpage. It also provides refueling for Navy and Marine aircraft.

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