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

USAF KC-135 Stratotanker Crashes Over Western Iraq During Operation Epic Fury; CENTCOM Says Non‑Hostile

On March 12, 2026, a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed over western Iraq during an aerial-refuelling operation linked to Operation Epic Fury. CENTCOM confirmed the two‑aircraft incident was non-combat and not caused by hostile action or friendly fire; investigations are ongoing.

Also: FlightGlobal, Air Data News, Aviation Week, Aviation24, Simple Flying, Air & Space Forces Mag, marinecorpstimes.com, Army Times, Task & Purpose, The Guardian, avbrief.com, NBC News and 10 more
2026-03-12T15:00:49.321045-07:00
Helicopter   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Vertical Mag

Fatal Kadena Air Base Incident Highlights Dangers of Helicopter Rotor Wash

By Vertical Mag: | To ensure delivery of future emails, add [email protected] to your contacts. | |---| | | ![]() | Latest Issue Read Now | ![]() | | | ![]() | | Fatal incident in Japan underscores hazard of helicopter rotor wash A tragedy at Kadena Air Base last year starkly illustrates the risks posed by helicopter rotor wash, an underappreciated hazard that is starting to receive more attention.

2026-03-12T17:54:01.563051-07:00
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