Four service members killed in KC-135 crash

Four service members killed in KC-135 crash

March 13, 2026/
Spread the love

By Morgan Sweeney
The Center Square

Four of six crew members have been confirmed dead as a result of Thursday’s crash of an American refueling tanker.

The details that have been released regarding the crash are few as of Friday morning. It involved two aircraft, was not the result of hostile or friendly fire and occurred in friendly airspace over western Iraq, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. The KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed, while another aircraft was able to land safely.

It added in a subsequent post on X that “the circumstances of the incident are under investigation” and that the names of the service members will be withheld until families have been notified.

Gen. Dan Caine briefly addressed the incident at a Pentagon press briefing Friday morning.

“We’re still treating this as an active rescue and recovery operation, as CENTCOM announced this morning. Four airmen have been recovered, and the Air Force and US central command will provide updates as information becomes available,” Caine said. “Please keep these brave Airmen, their families, friends and units in your thoughts.”

Caine also said there had been a fire aboard the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford and that some had been injured.

“We’re thinking about the crew there who are injured in the fire. We believe and hope that everyone will be OK” Caine said, referring further questions to the Navy.

The KC-135 deaths bring the total number of Americans killed in the first 13 days of Operation Epic Fury to 10.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Maryland Supreme Court tosses Blue cities' climate lawsuits against energy companies

Maryland Supreme Court tosses Blue cities’ climate lawsuits against energy companies

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square The Maryland Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed three lawsuits filed by Democrat-run jurisdictions claiming oil and gas companies concealed information about their products’ contributions to...
Arizona Senate majority leader blasts Phoenix resolution limiting ICE operations

Arizona Senate majority leader blasts Phoenix resolution limiting ICE operations

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Arizona Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh is criticizing the city of Phoenix for its resolution restricting federal immigration enforcement. Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, told The Center...
$4.4B budget request for new Illinois early childhood agency draws scrutiny

$4.4B budget request for new Illinois early childhood agency draws scrutiny

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An agency focused on early childhood education created by state lawmakers in 2024 has made its first...
Lawmaker, officer warns Elgin officer firing could chill free speech

Lawmaker, officer warns Elgin officer firing could chill free speech

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and law enforcement officer is sharply criticizing the city of Elgin’s decision to...
Airline nixes perk for flying lawmakers as DHS shutdown continues

Airline nixes perk for flying lawmakers as DHS shutdown continues

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square As a partial government shutdown continues, one major airline has suspended services for flying lawmakers as travel chaos builds at U.S. airports. The ongoing partial...
Student sues school over removal of Charlie Kirk tribute

Student sues school over removal of Charlie Kirk tribute

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square A North Carolina high school student is suing over alleged violations of her constitutional rights after her school painted over her Charlie Kirk tribute and...
Illinois quick hits: Coalition calls for more action on data centers

Illinois quick hits: Coalition calls for more action on data centers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Coalition calls for more action on data centers The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition says more action is needed from the Illinois...
Asylum advocates disappointed by Supreme Court arguments

Asylum advocates disappointed by Supreme Court arguments

By Emily Rodriguez and Andrew RiceThe Center Square Immigration asylum advocates expressed disappointment with justices on the Supreme Court after arguments Tuesday regarding asylum protections. The case, Noem v. Al...
IL House GOP asks “Have you had enough yet” following student’s murder

IL House GOP asks “Have you had enough yet” following student’s murder

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After the alleged murder of a Loyola University student by a migrant who was in the country...
EXCLUSIVE: 5-year anniversary of Operation Lone Star, nearly 540,000 apprehended

EXCLUSIVE: 5-year anniversary of Operation Lone Star, nearly 540,000 apprehended

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas’ border security mission, Operation Lone Star, reached a milestone in March, its five-year anniversary. Gov. Greg Abbott first launched OLS in March 2021, in...
Many Republicans say proposed bipartisan DHS funding deal 'impossible'

Many Republicans say proposed bipartisan DHS funding deal ‘impossible’

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Republican leaders appear close to reaching a Department of Homeland Security funding deal with Democrats, but many rank-and-file Republicans view the proposed compromise as...
Mullin sworn in as secretary of Homeland Security

Mullin sworn in as secretary of Homeland Security

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the Department of Homeland Security nears 40 days since a government stalemate shut it down, Markwayne Mullin has been sworn in as the ninth...
Gas spike continues for Illinoisans; state leaders offer no plan to help yet

Gas spike continues for Illinoisans; state leaders offer no plan to help yet

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As fuel prices continue rising, government leaders in Illinois have responded to growing concern over the impact...
BREAKING: Minnesota sues feds for evidence in Metro Surge shootings

BREAKING: Minnesota sues feds for evidence in Metro Surge shootings

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for refusing to share evidence regarding three...
Supreme Court appears to favor Trump's asylum border policy

Supreme Court appears to favor Trump’s asylum border policy

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court appeared in favor of the Trump administration's policy to prevent immigrants making asylum claims from being processed if they are on...