4 US service members killed in refueling aircraft crash in Iraq

Four U.S. service members were killed when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq Thursday afternoon after a mid-air incident with a second aircraft, officials confirmed.

A U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq around 2 p.m. ET, U.S. Central Command confirmed early Friday. Four of the six crew members aboard the aircraft have been confirmed dead as rescue efforts continue.

The other aircraft involved in the incident landed safely, CENTCOM said. Officials said the loss of the aircraft was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire. ---More...

???? BREAKING: Four American service members were killed when the refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq

Bless our heroes, this is tragic ????????????????

pic.twitter.com/TFM2dqXJlg

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh)March 13, 2026