US Central Command (CENTCOM) has acknowledged that a KC-135 refueling aircraft was lost in what it described as “friendly airspace” in western Iraq, with rescue efforts currently underway. There is no immediate word on deaths or survivors among the crew. CENTCOM’s statement indicated that a second aircraft “landed safely” and said the crash was not caused by “hostile fire or friendly fire.”
However, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq quickly disputed this, claiming they shot down a US Army KC-135 in western Iraq using “the appropriate weapon.” According to Al Jazeera, A KC-135 refueling tanker typically requires at least three crew members to operate, meaning multiple personnel may be involved.
This crash is the latest incident in the ongoing US-Israel joint war against Iran, which began on February 28. Before this, the US military had reported seven service members killed in action, with an eighth dying in Kuwait from a “health-related incident.” Additionally, 140 personnel have been wounded, with eight suffering severe injuries.
The war against Iran is proving costly in lives, public support, and political unity
On March 1, three F-15E Strike Eagles were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses during active combat. The six crew members from those aircraft ejected safely and were recovered in stable condition. The Pentagon has also faced scrutiny over how accurately it has been reporting the true number of casualties in the Iran conflict.
The war has faced negative public approval from the start. A Quinnipiac University poll on March 9 found that 53 percent of voters opposed the military offensive, and 74 percent rejected deploying US ground troops. An Ipsos poll found 43 percent disapproving of the US strikes compared to just 29 percent who approved.
BREAKING: 4 more U.S. Service members are Confirmed Dead in the loss of the U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq.
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) March 13, 2026
There is no word yet on the 2 other crew members.
How many more Americans need to die before Trump ends this war? pic.twitter.com/3xJwb2RjfC
The conflict has also divided some of President Trump’s own supporters. Talk show host Tucker Carlson called the war “absolutely disgusting and evil” in an interview and suggested Trump may have been misled by his advisers. President Trump responded by disavowing his critics, including Carlson, stating, “MAGA is America First, and Tucker is none of those things.”
Four Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 13, 2026
TAMPA, Fla. – 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…
The administration has offered varying reasons for the war. President Trump warned that a “nuclear war” would have broken out if Iran had not been confronted, and argued that nuclear negotiations with Iran had failed, even though officials had previously suggested a deal was close.
BREAKING:
— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) March 13, 2026Iran started to shoot down Stratotankers
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker went down in western Iraq with CREW OF SIX — CBS
Another KC-135 was hit but landed in Israel pic.twitter.com/SxJhM4JVsM
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this month that a US attack was launched because “we knew there was going to be an Israeli action” against Iran, though he later walked back those comments. Meanwhile, debate continues in other institutions over military policy, such as Harvard’s response to Hegseth’s woke military ban.
Beyond US military losses, the broader human cost of the conflict is significant. An estimated 1,348 Iranians have been killed since hostilities began, along with 15 Israelis and 17 people in nearby Gulf states.
