March 13, 2026/

Four service members killed in KC-135 crash

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By Morgan Sweeney
The Center Square

Four of six crew members have been confirmed dead as a result of Thursday’s crash of an American refueling tanker.

The details that have been released regarding the crash are few as of Friday morning. It involved two aircraft, was not the result of hostile or friendly fire and occurred in friendly airspace over western Iraq, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. The KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed, while another aircraft was able to land safely.

It added in a subsequent post on X that “the circumstances of the incident are under investigation” and that the names of the service members will be withheld until families have been notified.

Gen. Dan Caine briefly addressed the incident at a Pentagon press briefing Friday morning.

“We’re still treating this as an active rescue and recovery operation, as CENTCOM announced this morning. Four airmen have been recovered, and the Air Force and US central command will provide updates as information becomes available,” Caine said. “Please keep these brave Airmen, their families, friends and units in your thoughts.”

Caine also said there had been a fire aboard the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford and that some had been injured.

“We’re thinking about the crew there who are injured in the fire. We believe and hope that everyone will be OK” Caine said, referring further questions to the Navy.

The KC-135 deaths bring the total number of Americans killed in the first 13 days of Operation Epic Fury to 10.

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