What Caused a Midair Crash That Killed Six U.S. Troops?
A midair collision involving two Air Force refueling planes over Iraq resulted in the deaths of six U.S. service members. Initial intelligence suggested that anti-aircraft fire from Iran-backed militias may have contributed to the crash, although U.S. Central Command maintained that no hostile fire was involved. The incident highlights the complexities and dangers of the ongoing conflict in the region.
- ▪The collision occurred on March 12, killing six service members, nearly half of U.S. military fatalities in the conflict.
- ▪Initial reports indicated anti-aircraft fire in the area, but Centcom leaders dismissed this as mistaken.
- ▪An Air Force investigation is expected to conclude that the crash was an avoidable mishap in congested airspace.
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National SecurityWhat Caused a Midair Crash That Killed Six U.S. Troops?Intelligence provides new context for one of the Iran war’s deadliest incidents for American forces.By Missy Ryan, Nancy A. Youssef, and Shane HarrisIllustration by The Atlantic.*May 19, 2026, 7 AM ET ShareSave A pair of Air Force refueling planes were flying high over Iraq two weeks into the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. The KC-135 Stratotankers, which carry up to 200,000 pounds of jet fuel, function as flying gas stations, extending the reach of United States and allied aircraft far from air bases. On March 12, the two tankers collided. One of the planes safely landed with a badly damaged tail; the other crashed, killing six service members, constituting almost half of U.S. military fatalities in the conflict.
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