March 13, 2026/

Four service members killed in KC-135 crash

Spread the love

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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Des Moines school board chair ends U.S. Senate campaign amid superintendent controversy

Des Moines school board chair ends U.S. Senate campaign amid superintendent controversy

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square Des Moines, Iowa, school board chair Jackie Norris ended her campaign for U.S. Senate Thursday, citing her need to focus on the school system in...
Former national security advisor Bolton indicted by grand jury

Former national security advisor Bolton indicted by grand jury

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump's former national security advisor John Bolton was indicted Thusday by a federal grand jury. A federal grand jury in the U.S. District...
Retail advocate: 'Empty storefronts' will result from Chicago mayor’s budget

Retail advocate: ‘Empty storefronts’ will result from Chicago mayor’s budget

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The mayor of Chicago is touting new taxes in his 2026 budget proposal, but business groups are...
Illinois quick hits: SNAP to cut Nov. 1 if shutdown continues; Guard-blocking order stays in place

Illinois quick hits: SNAP to cut Nov. 1 if shutdown continues; Guard-blocking order stays in place

By The Center SquareThe Center Square SNAP to cut Nov. 1 if shutdown continues If the federal government shutdown continues past Nov. 1, 1.9 million Illinoisans will lose food assistance....
Energy Dept’s Haustveit at Louisiana Summit: 'More reliable energy' needed

Energy Dept’s Haustveit at Louisiana Summit: ‘More reliable energy’ needed

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The U.S. will need more reliable energy sources than ever before and the Trump administration will deliver, an assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of...
Trump says U.S. won't survive without tariffs, businesses say they won't survive with them

Trump says U.S. won’t survive without tariffs, businesses say they won’t survive with them

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square People on both sides of a legal challenge to President Donald Trump's tariff authority warn that survival is on the line in the high-profile case...
Nonprofit in tariff challenge case hits back at Trump

Nonprofit in tariff challenge case hits back at Trump

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A nonprofit group challenging President Donald Trump's tariff authority in front of the U.S. Supreme Court said Thursday that Trump's criticism of the group was...
Hanover Park, Illinois, police officer arrested by immigration enforcement

Hanover Park, Illinois, police officer arrested by immigration enforcement

By Greg BishopThe Center Square A Hanover Park, Illinois, police officer has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for being in the country illegally. As part of a...
Florida sues California, Washington for licensing immigrants

Florida sues California, Washington for licensing immigrants

By David BeasleyThe Center Square The state of Florida has filed a complaint with the U.S. Supreme Court against the states of California and Washington, sayinga damage has been caused...
DOJ brings first ever Antifa terrorism charges in Texas ICE attack

DOJ brings first ever Antifa terrorism charges in Texas ICE attack

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following the designation of Antifa by President Donald Trump as a domestic terror organization, the FBI announced that terrorism charges have been brought against suspects...
Many agree with McMahon that government shutdown proves DoEd is unnecessary

Many agree with McMahon that government shutdown proves DoEd is unnecessary

By Tate MillerThe Center Square U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s statement that the now more than two-week long government shutdown reveals the U.S. Department of Education is unnecessary –...
Colorado aids federal workers as shutdown hits week three

Colorado aids federal workers as shutdown hits week three

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado is taking steps to assist its over 50,000 federal employees as the government shutdown enters its third week. While not all of those employees...
Democrats tank bipartisan bill to fund DOD in midst of government shutdown

Democrats tank bipartisan bill to fund DOD in midst of government shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In an act of defiance, Democratic senators blocked the House-passed full-year funding bill for the Department of Defense from advancing Thursday. The procedural vote on...
U.S. Chamber of Commerce sues Trump over H-1B visa fee

U.S. Chamber of Commerce sues Trump over H-1B visa fee

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, one of the world's largest business federations, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Thursday over its proposed $100,000...
Senate Republicans offer govt funding olive branch; Democrats refuse it

Senate Republicans offer govt funding olive branch; Democrats refuse it

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Democrats blocked Republicans’ bill to reopen the government for the tenth time Thursday – even after Republican leaders agreed to hold a vote on...