‘Say a prayer’: Refueler crashes in Iraq, 6 American service members lost
A KC-135 military refueling aircraft has crashed in western Iraq and all six U.S. service members aboard have been confirmed as dead.
Centcom confirmed the loss while the aircraft was flying over friendly airspace on Thursday.
All Crew Members of U.S. KC-135 Loss in Iraq Confirmed Deceased
TAMPA, Fla. – All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased. The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 13, 2026
BREAKING: CENTCOM confirms all six American servicemembers aboard the crashed KC-135 Stratotanker are deceased
Heartbreaking. Say a prayer for their families today
We also came dangerously close to losing a second KC-135, pictured here with part of its vertical stabilizer… pic.twitter.com/1RqQvBz10W
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 13, 2026
BREAKING: All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft were killed when the aircraft “went down” in friendly airspace in western Iraq, according to U.S. Central Command. https://t.co/IDWgaVd6PN pic.twitter.com/VpWzZNr6wH
— ABC News (@ABC) March 13, 2026
The KC-135 airplanes, though aging, routinely are used for air-to-air refueling missions and make up the “core aerial refueling capability” for the Air Force, the Pentagon confirmed.
They carry up to 83,000 pounds of cargo.
The crash brings the total number of American fatalities since the war against Iran began to 13, after six service members died in Kuwait at the Port of Shuaiba during an attack by an Iranian drone.
Another service member died at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
The victims were identified as Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39; Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20. Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, and Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said just days ago about 140 service members have been injured, but 108 already had returned to duty.
The report said U.S. forces have struck more than 6,000 targets in Iran, and when combined with Israel’s air force, the total exceeds 15,000. They have gone after senior regime leaders, military commanders, military infrastructure, missile stockpiles, their navy, and air force.