The US military says it lost a refueling aircraft in Iraq. Rescue operations are underway.

A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker performs an in-flight refuel for two F-22 Raptor jets during an exercise over the Pacific Ocean on Jan. 16, 2026.

U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mary Greenwood

• A KC-135 refueling aircraft "went down" in Iraq, the US military announced Friday evening.
• A second unidentified aircraft was involved but landed safely.
• The status of the refueling aircraft's crew is unknown.

A US military KC-135 refueling aircraft involved...