Pentagon identifies six US service members killed in aircraft crash over Iraq

March 15, 2026

TL;DR

Six U.S. service members were killed in a KC-135 Stratotanker crash over Iraq.
The deceased have been identified by the Pentagon, with families sharing personal tributes.
The crash occurred in western Iraq following an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in "friendly airspace."
A second KC-135 tanker involved in the incident landed safely in Israel.
The Pentagon stated the crash was not caused by hostile fire.
Questions are being raised about why the air crew may not have been issued parachutes, referencing past protocols to remove them from KC-135s.
The KC-135 Stratotanker has been in service for over 60 years and has been involved in previous fatal accidents.

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