US Air Force Flying Gas Station Dramatically Runs Out of Air in Iraq
KEY POINTS
- •On January 16, 2026, a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq as part of Operation Epic Fury.
- •A second unidentified aircraft involved in the mission landed safely, avoiding catastrophe on the same day.
- •CENTCOM confirmed the crash was not linked to hostile or friendly fire, but rescue efforts are still ongoing.
On January 16, 2026, a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker—the flying equivalent of a gas station on steroids—crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, the US military’s cheeky name for its anti-Iran campaign. This marks the fourth US aircraft lost since the war kicked off nearly two weeks ago, following a friendly fire mishap that downed three F-15E Strike Eagles over Kuwait, all six pilots ejecting like pros. The KC-135, a three-person crew rocket: pilot, co-pilot, and boom operator, known for complex, high-close-contact refueling ballet, vanished from the skies without hostile fire, sparking ongoing rescue missions. Meanwhile, a mysterious second aircraft involved somehow managed to land safely—definitely winning the coordination award.
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(1 of 3)The US Air Force’s flying gas station literally runs out of gas mid-mission, crashing in Iraq but 'not due to hostile fire.' Plot twist: fuel dump via crash landing now an unexpected refueling tactic.
Nothing screams ‘Operation Epic Fury’ like losing a flying gas pump in Iraq while doing midair yoga with fighter jets.
KC-135: The only gas station you can’t find an open sign for, but can spectacularly crash anyway.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 3/12/2026 | Author: Kelsey Baker
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