US Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker Aerial Refueling Aircraft Lost Over Iraq

March 13, 2026 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2026-1773370890174-3213

AeroTime Reports on Non-Combat Incident Involving Two KC-135s in Western Iraq

A US Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft was lost over western Iraq on March 12, 2026, in a non-combat incident involving two aircraft. According to AeroTime, one aircraft crashed while the second landed safely. Rescue efforts were underway, but details about the incident remain unclear. The US Air Force has not confirmed casualties or provided information on the mission profile of the aircraft involved. The incident comes as US forces continue Operation Epic Fury, a campaign tied to the widening conflict with Iran.

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Key Takeaways

A US Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker was lost over western Iraq.
One aircraft crashed, while the second landed safely.
Rescue efforts were underway.
The incident may have occurred during a tanker operation.

Boeing

Strategic Implications

This incident could suggest that the loss of the KC-135 occurred during a routine tanker operation. The involvement of two KC-135s may indicate a training or operational error, but it’s also possible that the incident was caused by human error or equipment failure. The fact that rescue efforts were underway suggests that the situation is being treated with caution and that more information will be provided as the investigation unfolds.