US military KC-135 goes down in Iraq: What caused the crash? CENTCOM clarifies

As per US Central Command, the incident took place in Iraq's friendly airspace as part of military movement in Operation Epic Fury.

Updated on: Mar 13, 2026 6:14 AM IST

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A US military KC-135 aircraft on Thursday went down in Iraq, Central Command in a statement. Rescue operations and efforts have been launched to find the plane and the crew members on board.

In this US Army photo taken from an undisclosed location shows a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, the same aircraft which has crashed in Iraq amid the US Iran war (AFP)

As per US Central Command, the incident took place in Iraq's friendly airspace as part of military movement in Operation Epic Fury. Follow LIVE updates on the US-Iran war here

“Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely,” said CENTCOM in a statement.

What caused the crash?

The exact reason behind the US military plane crash in yet to be ascertained. However, officials have stated that the crash was not due to firing in the airspace.

“This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. More information will be made available as the situation develops,” said CENTCOM.

Also Read | What is a KC-135 Stratotanker? 5 points on the US Air Force's aircraft crash in Iraq

US loses F-15 fighter jets in Kuwait

During the start of the US-Israel and Iran war in the Middle East, the US military lost three F-15 fighter jets in Kuwait. Videos of the US jet crashing and military personnel being rescued took social media by a storm.

As per CENTCOM, the US jets were shot down by Kuwaiti air defences during active combat. The US military added that the three Air Force jets were shot down mistakenly and in “friendly fire.”

“During active combat—that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses. All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation,” said a statement issued by CENTCOM.

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Danita Yadav
Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read More

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