4 Confirmed Dead After US Refueling Plane Crashes in Iraq

U.S. Central Command said the circumstances were being investigated and that the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile or friendly fire.

An F-16 fighter refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker over Alaska, on Feb. 19, 2026. U.S. Department of Defense via AP

Four crew members aboard a U.S. military refuelling aircraft have been confirmed dead after it crashed in western Iraq, military officials said.

In a post on X, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the KC-135 Stratotanker refueling plane, which had a crew of six, went down at about 2 p.m. ET on March 12.