WASHINGTON — All six crew members aboard a U.S. military KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq on Thursday are confirmed dead, the U.S. military reported on March 13.
The military stated that while another aircraft was involved in the incident, it was not due to hostile or friendly fire. An investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing.
Authorities confirmed that this incident adds to the seven U.S. service members who have died in operations against Iran since February 28. “The loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” according to U.S. Central Command.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the situation, saying, “War is chaos, and as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen.”
Reports indicated that the second aircraft involved, which landed safely, was also a KC-135. The United States has deployed numerous aircraft in the region to support operations against Iran, emphasizing the inherent risks of air refueling missions.
The KC-135 Stratotanker, crucial for U.S. military operations, has been in service since the 1950s and is vital for extending the operational range of combat aircraft.
Previously, Grand Forks Air Force Base housed the 319th Refueling Wing, utilizing the KC-135 from 1963 to 2010.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed groups, claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft.
As many as 150 U.S. troops have reportedly been wounded amid ongoing conflicts involving the U.S. and Iran, with more military casualties anticipated as tensions escalate.