4 US service members killed in refueling aircraft crash in Iraq, US military says

Four U.S. service members were killed when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday afternoon.

 U.S. Central Command confirmed the news early Friday in a post on X. 

“At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.”

KC-135 refueling aircraft crash incident

What we know:

The U.S. military said Friday in an X post that the “circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”

What we don’t know:

The identities of the service members killed have not been released, with military officials saying they are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.

According to the Associated Press, the KC-135 Stratotanker is a U.S. Air Force aircraft used to refuel other planes in midair, allowing them to travel longer distances and maintain operations longer without landing. 

The AP added that the plane is also used to transport wounded personnel during medical evacuations or conduct surveillance missions, according to military experts.

FOX News reported that the KC-135 has been in service for over 60 years, supporting the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied aircraft. The Air Force is gradually replacing the aging fleet with next-generation KC-46A Pegasus tankers.