1 hour ago
Last Updated:March 13, 2026, 14:27 IST
The US Central Command said one tanker was lost over Iraq, while a second aircraft sustained damage but managed to land safely.
The KC-135 that landed safely in Tel Aviv | Image: X
Visuals circulating on Friday have raised questions over a mid-air collision involving two US aerial refuelling aircraft over Iraq, after one damaged tanker was seen landing safely in Tel Aviv while another was reportedly lost during the incident.
The aircraft involved was identified as a KC-135 Stratotanker, a key force multiplier used to extend the operational range of combat aircraft.
The US Central Command said one tanker was lost over Iraq, while a second aircraft sustained damage but managed to land safely.
The military clarified that the incident was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, fuelling speculation that it may have been an accident.
Images shared online, including posts by the OSINTtechnical account, purportedly show the damaged KC-135 on the ground in Tel Aviv, with a significant portion of its vertical stabiliser missing.
However, CNN-News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the visuals. Military analysts on social media suggested the two tankers may have collided mid-air, possibly during aerial refuelling or fuel transfer operations.
Aerial refuelling is considered one of the most complex manoeuvres in military aviation, requiring aircraft to fly in close formation, often about 100 feet apart, increasing the risk of collision.
Videos of near-miss incidents during such operations have also resurfaced online amid the speculation.
The reported loss marks at least the fourth US military aircraft downed during the ongoing US-Iran conflict in the region, following the earlier loss of three F-15E Strike Eagles due to friendly fire over Kuwait.
The KC-135 Stratotanker has been in service for more than six decades and is typically operated by a three-member crew, a pilot, co-pilot and boom operator, though some missions also include a navigator.
The aircraft can carry up to 37 passengers and is powered by four turbofan engines, enabling take-offs at weights of up to 146 tonnes.
According to the United States Air Force, the Stratotanker remains a critical asset supporting the service’s global reach missions.
First Published:
March 13, 2026, 14:27 IST
News world US Refueling Jet's Tail Damaged In Mid-Air Collision Over Iraq? Visuals Surface After Safe Landing
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