Four Americans killed in plane crash in Iraq, CENTCOM claims incident is still under investigation

(Patria) - Four of the six crew members died in the crash of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft, which crashed in western Iraq yesterday, the U.S. Central Command announced.

The circumstances of the plane crash are being investigated. According to available information, the possibility that the aircraft was shot down by enemy or so-called friendly fire has been ruled out.

Four Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq

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…

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 13, 2026

The identities of the deceased crew members will be released 24 hours after their families have been notified of their deaths, which is standard procedure.

This brings the number of Americans killed since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran to 11.

As a reminder, the Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that the number of U.S. soldiers killed had risen to seven after the death of another soldier, who was killed in an Iranian strike on a military base where U.S. soldiers were stationed in Saudi Arabia, was confirmed. Six were killed in Kuwait.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump attended the return of the bodies of the first six Americans killed in the war, at a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.