# @thevigilantheroes on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DV1rEgIkgWg
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/66793435-thevigilantheroes-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/7ea688a669.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-03-13T20:50:04.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Vigilant Heroes (@thevigilantheroes) — https://gondola.cc/thevigilantheroes

## Caption

A KC-135 aerial refueling tanker was lost during Operation Epic Fury operations, crashing in western Iraq near the Iraqi-Jordanian border on Thursday. U.S. officials later confirmed that all six crew members aboard the aircraft were killed.
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According to CENTCOM, the tanker was involved in the same incident as a second KC-135 that sustained damage but successfully diverted and landed safely in Tel Aviv. Early reporting indicates the aircraft declared an emergency prior to landing, though officials say the incident was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, and the cause remains under investigation—has not yet been announced. Online rumors suggest the incident could have occured during an aerial refueling involving an F-16 (which may have also been damaged, but recovered)...but again, this is not confirmed. 
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This event marks the 4th aircraft loss connected to OEF....Previously, 3 F-15E Strike Eagles were downed in a friendly-fire incident involving Kuwait, though all six crew members survived after ejecting.
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The KC-135 has served as the backbone of U.S. aerial refueling for more than 60 years and is generally considered to be a safe and reliable aircraft in use nearly every day around the world for air-to-air refueling ops—with more than 370 jets in U.S. service.....We’ll keep you updated: thevigilantheroes
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#military #aviation #AirForce #kc135 #Iran

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 473
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## Tags

military, airforce, kc135, aviation, iran

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