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

USAF KC-135 Stratotanker crashes in western Iraq during mid-air refuelling linked to Operation Epic Fury

A U.S. Air Force Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq on March 12 during an aerial refuelling operation supporting Operation Epic Fury, officials say. CENTCOM confirmed the loss was not caused by hostile action or friendly fire and that a second aircraft was involved.

Also: Air Data News, Aviation Week, Aviation24, Simple Flying, Air & Space Forces Mag, marinecorpstimes.com, Army Times, Task & Purpose, NBC News, news.ssbcrack.com, Business Insider, newsable.asianetnews.com and 8 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