Baghdad, March 13, 2026 — A United States military aircraft has crashed in western Iraq, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The aircraft involved in the incident was a KC-135 military refueling plane.
CENTCOM said the crash occurred during an operation in western Iraq. Two aircraft were involved in the mission at the time of the incident. While one of the planes crashed, the second aircraft managed to land safely.
Based on preliminary information, CENTCOM clarified that the incident was not caused by enemy fire or friendly fire. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and an investigation is ongoing.
According to the U.S. Air Force, KC-135 aircraft are primarily used for mid-air refueling of other military planes, enabling them to remain in operation for longer missions. The aircraft model has been in service for more than six decades.
A typical KC-135 crew consists of a pilot, co-pilot and a boom operator, who is responsible for managing the refueling system. In certain missions, the aircraft can also carry a navigator and transport up to 37 passengers if necessary.
Authorities have not yet disclosed how many people were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash.
The incident comes amid heightened military tensions in the Middle East related to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. According to reports, this is at least the fourth U.S. military aircraft lost during the current conflict. Earlier, three F-15 fighter jets were reportedly shot down over Kuwait after being mistakenly targeted by friendly forces.
