Six US service members killed in KC-135 crash in Iraq

Six U.S. airmen were killed on Thursday when a U.S. Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed during ongoing combat operations against Iran , U.S. Central Command confirmed .

“All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased,” CENTCOM announced. “The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury.”

In a press briefing Friday alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine stated the crash occurred “while the crew was on a combat mission.”

Two aircraft were reportedly involved in the incident, officials said Thursday, with the second aircraft landing safely.

“[It] was not the result of hostile or friendly fire,” Caine added.

The circumstances of the crash are under investigation.

“We are devastated by the loss of our airmen supporting Operation Epic Fury and extend our condolences to their families and communities affected,” U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach said. “Our warfighters answered the nation’s call — we will honor their sacrifice as we continue to fight until the job is done.”

Numerous KC-135s are currently deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations, where crews have provided aerial refueling for other aircraft as a part of Operation Epic Fury.

The downed KC-135 is the fourth manned U.S. aircraft to be lost this month amid combat operations against the Islamic Republic.

On March 1, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were shot down by a Kuwaiti F/A-18 in a friendly fire incident, U.S. Central Command announced at the time. All six F-15 crew members ejected and were safely recovered.

A total of 13 U.S. service members have been killed during combat actions and roughly 140 more wounded — eight severely — across the opening two weeks of Operation Epic Fury.

Another service member , an Army National Guard officer who also served as a New York City policeman, died on March 6 following a non-combat incident.

Identities of the deceased KC-135 crew members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification.

“Our service members make an incredible sacrifice to go forward and do the things that the nation asks of them,” Caine said. “It’s a reminder of the true cost of the dedication and commitment of the joint force.”

J.D. Simkins is Editor-in-Chief of Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.

美国中央司令部证实，周四，一架美国空军KC-135加油机在对伊朗的持续作战行动中坠毁，造成6名美国空军人员丧生。

美国中央司令部宣布：“一架在伊拉克西部坠毁的美国KC-135加油机上的六名机组人员全部遇难。这架飞机于3月12日在‘史诗狂怒行动’期间飞越友军领空时失踪。”

周五，参谋长联席会议主席丹·凯恩将军与国防部长皮特·赫格塞斯一同出席新闻发布会，并表示坠机事件发生在“机组人员执行作战任务期间”。

据官员周四表示，事故涉及两架飞机，第二架飞机安全着陆。

凯恩补充说：“这不是敌方或友军误伤造成的。”

事故原因正在调查中。

“我们对参与‘史诗狂怒行动’的空军官兵牺牲深感悲痛，并向他们的家人和受影响的社区致以最深切的慰问，”美国空军参谋长肯·威尔斯巴赫将军说。“我们的战士响应了国家的召唤——我们将缅怀他们的牺牲，并继续战斗直至完成任务。”

目前，许多 KC-135 飞机已部署到美国中央司令部作战区域，机组人员已在“史诗狂怒行动”中为其他飞机提供空中加油。

被击落的KC-135是本月在对伊斯兰共和国的作战行动中损失的第四架美军有人驾驶飞机。

3月1日，美国中央司令部宣布，三架美国F-15E“攻击鹰”战斗机在一次友军误击事件中被一架科威特F/A-18战斗机击落。所有六名F-15机组人员弹射逃生并安全获救。

在“史诗狂怒行动”开始的两周内，共有 13 名美国军人在战斗中丧生，另有约 140 人受伤，其中 8 人伤势严重。

另一名军人，一名曾担任纽约市警察的陆军国民警卫队军官，于 3 月 6 日在一次非战斗事件中丧生。

KC-135 遇难机组人员的身份信息将在通知其近亲属 24 小时后公布。

凯恩说：“我们的军人为了履行国家赋予他们的职责，做出了巨大的牺牲。这提醒我们，联合部队的奉献和承诺背后有着真正的代价。”

JD Simkins 是《军事时报》和《防务新闻》的总编辑，也是参加过伊拉克战争的海军陆战队老兵。