From F-15s To KC-135: How US Has Lost Four Military Aircraft In Iran War

Last Updated:March 13, 2026, 11:15 IST

With the KC-135 crash on Thursday, the number of US military aircraft lost since the start of the war with Iran has risen to four.

The United States has suffered another aviation setback in the ongoing conflict with Iran after a KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during operations linked to the war. The incident, confirmed by United States Central Command (CENTCOM), took place during Operation Epic Fury, the military campaign launched by Washington against Iran on February 28.

The KC-135 Crash

According to CENTCOM, two KC-135 tanker aircraft were involved in the incident. One of them went down in western Iraq, while the second aircraft managed to land safely. The command said the crash was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire, indicating that the aircraft likely suffered an operational or technical problem during the mission. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to search for the crew.

However, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft. The group said in a statement it had shot down the KC-135 aircraft “in defense of our country’s sovereignty and airspace".

The aircraft involved, the KC‑135 Stratotanker, plays a crucial role in modern air warfare. Its primary job is to refuel fighter jets and bombers mid-air, allowing them to stay in the sky for longer and strike targets far from their bases. These missions often involve complex manoeuvres and tight coordination between multiple aircraft, particularly during wartime when operations run around the clock.

With this crash, the number of US military aircraft lost since the start of the war with Iran has risen to four. The latest incident appears to be an operational accident, but the earlier losses happened under far more dramatic circumstances.

Three F-15s Brought Down In Kuwait

The first aircraft losses in the conflict took place in the opening days of the campaign, when three F‑15E Strike Eagle fighter jets went down over Kuwait.

The jets were part of the early wave of operations under Operation Epic Fury. During a period of intense air activity in the region, Kuwaiti air defences mistakenly identified the aircraft as hostile. In the confusion, a Kuwaiti F/A‑18 Hornet fighter reportedly fired on the American jets.

All three F-15E aircraft were brought down in the incident, marking the single largest loss of US aircraft in the conflict so far.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, the pilots managed to escape safely. All six crew members ejected and survived, according to military officials.

Drones Lost

Meanwhile, the US has also lost multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones during the war. Reports suggest around 11 drones have been shot down or destroyed during operations over Iran and Iraq.

These losses are more common because drones often fly deep reconnaissance missions inside contested airspace.

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