Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AirForceTimes • J D Simkins

USAF KC-135 Stratotanker crashes in western Iraq during refuelling for Operation Epic Fury

A USAF KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq on March 12 during a mid-air refuelling operation supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran. A second Stratotanker was damaged but landed safely; officials say the crash is not believed to be the result of enemy action.

Also: Air Data News, Aviation Week, Aviation24, Simple Flying, Air & Space Forces Mag, marinecorpstimes.com, Army Times, Task & Purpose, news.ssbcrack.com, Business Insider, newsable.asianetnews.com, ANI News Agency and 6 more
2026-03-12T15:00:49.321045-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Bloomberg • Tony Capaccio

Pentagon Requests $12 Billion to Restore F-35 Readiness Through 2031

By Bloomberg: The Pentagon needs an additional $12 billion through 2031 to boost declining readiness rates of the F-35 fighter, the world’s biggest weapons program and a key part of the US arsenal in the Iran War, program officials have told congressional auditors.

Also: insidedefense.com and insidedefense.com
2026-03-12T13:12:39.385621-07:00
North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
Reuters • Dan Catchpole

USAF vice chief: Boeing must fix KC-46 tanker problems before further U.S. orders, Gen. Lamontagne tells Congress

By Reuters: Boeing has to fix ongoing problems with its KC-46 aerial refueling tanker before the United States orders more, U.S. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen.

Also: Air Data News
2026-03-12T12:58:44.382101-07:00