Updated 14:53 GMT – All of the six crew members aboard the U.S. KC-135RT tanker aircraft that crashed in western Iraq have been confirmed dead, the U.S. military said Friday.
Aviation News – A U.S. military KC-135 (62-3556) refueling aircraft of 756th ARS crashed in western Iraq following an incident involving two aircraft, the Pentagon confirmed.
Online flight tracking data confirms the aircraft is a rare KC-135RT variant. This airframe belongs to a select subset of the KC-135R fleet, modified with specialized equipment that distinguishes it from standard tankers. The “RT” designation signifies its role in extended-range operations, a capability critical for maintaining a persistent aerial presence over contested or remote zones.
Unlike most tankers that only give fuel, the KC-135RT is equipped with a receiver fueling receptacle. This allows the tanker itself to be refueled in mid-air by another aircraft, effectively “daisy-chaining” fuel across vast distances. This development is significant as it provides the U.S. Air Force and its allies with the logistical flexibility to keep refueling tracks active for much longer durations without the aircraft needing to return to base.
Technically, this receiver-capable feature removes the traditional endurance limitations of a standard tanker. By utilizing tanker-on-tanker refueling, the KC-135RT can remain on station indefinitely, supporting strike packages or surveillance assets during long-distance missions. This capability is a force multiplier, ensuring that combat aircraft never fly without a “gas station” nearby.
The incident occurred in friendly airspace, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which stressed that the crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire. One aircraft went down in western Iraq, while the second aircraft (63-8017 of 328th ARS took off from TLV at 11:31 UTC and returned at 18:35 UTC, squawking 7700) involved in the event was able to land safely.
Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the circumstances surrounding the accident, and the identities of the crew members have not been released.
The KC-135 Stratotanker plays a critical role in U.S. military operations by providing aerial refueling to fighter jets, bombers, and surveillance aircraft. This capability allows aircraft to remain airborne longer and extend the operational reach of U.S. and allied forces across the Middle East. Incidents involving refueling aircraft are rare but are treated with urgency due to the complexity of mid-air refueling operations.
In a brief statement, CENTCOM said that emergency teams were immediately dispatched to the crash location. “Rescue efforts are ongoing, and we are working to account for all personnel involved in the incident,” a spokesperson said, adding that additional information would be released as the situation becomes clearer.
The crash is expected to trigger a formal military investigation to determine what led to the incident between the two aircraft. Investigators will examine flight data, crew procedures, and operational conditions to establish whether mechanical issues, environmental factors, or other circumstances played a role.
This is the first combat-support loss of a KC-135 since May 3, 2013. In that previous incident, a KC-135 (tail number 63-8877) assigned to the 22nd ARW suffered a catastrophic structural failure and crashed in Northern Kyrgyzstan while returning from a mission over Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members.
Photo Jeroen Vogelaar