Six U.S. Airmen Killed as KC-135 Tanker Crashes in Iraq
A KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq killing six U.S. crew; CENTCOM said the loss was not due to hostile or friendly fire and an investigation is underway.
CBS NewsAll 6 crew members killed in crash of American KC-135 refueling aircraft in Iraq, U.S. military confirms
The GuardianTrump calls Iran leaders ‘deranged scumbags’ as Middle East violence spirals
FortuneAll 6 crew members on KC-135 refueling plane that crashed in Iraq are dead, bringing U.S. death toll to at least 13 service members | Fortune
MS NOWFriday’s Mini-Report, 3.13.26
Overview
A KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq, killing all six U.S. crew members, U.S. Central Command said.
CENTCOM said the incident involved two aircraft in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury and that the other plane landed safely.
CENTCOM said the loss was not due to hostile or friendly fire and the circumstances are under investigation, while the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility on Telegram.
The crash raised the U.S. death toll in the war to at least 13 service members, the Pentagon said, and about 140 U.S. service members have been injured, including eight severely, while Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said three victims were Ohio natives.
Officials said identities will be withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification, investigations are continuing, and the USS Tripoli and about 2,500 Marines prepared to embark to the Middle East.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a tension between official triumphalism and mounting humanitarian cost, juxtaposing U.S. and Israeli claims of operational success with casualty counts, displaced civilians and international criticism. Editorial choices — placement, verbs like "touted", and emphasis on numbers — shape escalation; direct quotes supply competing claims and details.
FAQ
Operation Epic Fury is the U.S. military's name for the ongoing war against Iran.
The crash involved two aircraft in friendly airspace and was not due to hostile or friendly fire; officials suspect a possible midair collision, with investigations ongoing.
The crash killed all six crew members, raising the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13 service members.
The KC-135 Stratotanker is a U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft in service since the 1950s, averaging over 60 years old, used to refuel fighter jets and bombers; it is being replaced by the KC-46 Pegasus.
Yes, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility on Telegram, despite CENTCOM stating it was not due to hostile fire.
