January 16, 2026, a KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling tanker refuels an F-22 Raptor fighter jet during a training exercise over the Pacific Ocean. [Photo: Mary Greenwood/U.S. Air National Guard]

The U.S. military announced that a KC-135 aerial refueling tanker supporting Iranian attack operations crashed in western Iraq, killing all six crew members on board.

While U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East region, did not specify the exact details of the crash that occurred between the two aircraft in "friendly airspace," it stated that the other aircraft landed safely.

U.S. Central Command confirmed on Friday that all six crew members aboard the crashed KC-135 passenger jet had died and that recovery efforts were ongoing. The command added that it is investigating the cause of the crash, but stated that the incident was "not due to enemy or friendly fire."

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, commented on the situation, stating that the other aircraft involved was also a KC-135. Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, told X communications that the other aircraft had landed safely in Israel.

It is rare for an aerial refueling tanker to be shot down by enemy fire, as such operations typically take place behind combat zones.

This crash follows an incident last week where three U.S. F-15E fighter jets were shot down by friendly fire in Kuwait, and is the fourth U.S. aircraft officially confirmed to have crashed during the war with Iran.

The KC-135 Stratotanker is an aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force, which extends the flight range of other aircraft and allows them to conduct operations for longer periods without landing, through aerial refueling. According to military experts, this aircraft is also used for casualty evacuation or reconnaissance missions.

This aerial refueling tanker, built with the same design as the Boeing 707 passenger jet, has supported U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied aircraft for over 60 years, the Air Force stated. This aging model is scheduled to be phased out as the next-generation KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tanker is introduced.

Despite upgrades over the years, the aging of the KC-135 has raised concerns about its reliability and durability.

According to the Congressional Research Service, the U.S. Air Force possessed 376 KC-135 tankers last year, with 151 assigned to the active duty, 163 to the Air National Guard, and 62 to the Air Force Reserve.

The basic crew of a KC-135 consists of a pilot, co-pilot, and three boom operators. In the case of aeromedical evacuation missions, a nurse and a medical technician are added.

By Sung Ku Hong, Chief Reporter, NNP USA / Special correspondent, NNP info@newsandpost.com