By Ian Werther in News — 13 Mar 2026

US KC-135 Crashes in Western Iraq During Grand Fury Operation

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on the 10th, during U.S. military operations against Iran described by the command as part of an operation named Grand Fury. Two aircraft were involved; one aircraft crashed in western Iraq and the other landed safely. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on local time the 12th that a KC-135 had been lost and that rescue operations were underway.

CENTCOM added that the loss occurred in friendly airspace and was not the result of enemy action or misfire. The command said it would provide additional information as the situation developed.

Photos of Boeing's KC-46A, center, conducting tests of aircraft acceleration and vibration exposure while flying in receiver formation at various speeds and altitudes behind either the KC-10 Extender or the KC-135 Stratotanker. Testing for this phase was coordinated from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and conducted above Owens Valley and parts of the western Mojave Desert.
Unit: 92d Air Refueling Wing — Representative image for context; not directly related to the specific event in this article. License: Public domain. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

The KC-135 Stratotanker is a long-serving U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft that enables in-flight refueling for fighters and bombers, extending their range and time on station. In operations in and around the Middle East, such tankers are a critical component of sustained air campaigns.

The incident comes amid ongoing U.S. military activity in the region and a climate of elevated tensions with Iran. CENTCOM oversees U.S. military operations across the Middle East and surrounding areas, a footprint that frequently requires aerial refueling support.

For U.S. readers, the crash matters because aerial refueling capabilities are essential for maintaining airpower and rapid response options in the region. A loss of a tanker temporarily reduces in-theater refueling capacity, affecting mission planning and readiness until replacements or additional aircraft can be brought online.

Photos of Boeing's KC-46A, left, conducting tests of aircraft acceleration and vibration exposure while flying in receiver formation at various speeds and altitudes behind either the KC-10 Extender or the KC-135 Stratotanker. Testing for this phase was coordinated from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and conducted above Owens Valley and parts of the western Mojave Desert.
Unit: 92d Air Refueling Wing — Representative image for context; not directly related to the specific event in this article. License: Public domain. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

The crash occurred in western Iraq, a region that has hosted U.S. and coalition operations for several years and remains a staging area for security efforts in the broader Middle East. No final details have been released about casualties or the cause, and officials said updates would follow as they become available.

CENTCOM said it would continue to provide information as the situation develops, underscoring the ongoing risk management and accountability featured in overseas operations.

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