America’s Air War Faces Its Biggest Test Yet
Operation Epic Fury just hit a serious snag — and it has nothing to do with bombs or fighter jets.
The US-led air campaign against Iran, now entering its third week, is facing a critical logistics crisis after losing or damaging at least seven aerial refueling tankers in just 24 hours. Without these flying gas stations, the relentless bombing runs that have struck over 15,000 targets across Iran simply cannot be sustained at their current pace.
Here’s what happened — and why it matters.
KC-135 Crash in Iraq: All 6 Crew Members Dead
On March 12, a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq while supporting combat operations over Iran. US Central Command confirmed on March 13 that all six crew members aboard were killed.
The Pentagon stated that the crash was “not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” though reports indicate the aircraft was involved in a midair collision with another KC-135. The second tanker was damaged but managed to land safely.
The Department of Defense has released the names of the fallen airmen, bringing the total US service member deaths in Operation Epic Fury to at least 12 since the war began on February 28.
But here’s where it gets more complicated: Iranian-backed militias in Iraq — the so-called Islamic Resistance in Iraq — have claimed responsibility for bringing down the KC-135. While CENTCOM denied hostile fire was involved, the militia claim adds another layer of tension to an already deteriorating situation in Iraq.
Five More Tankers Hit on the Ground in Saudi Arabia
As if losing a KC-135 in flight wasn’t bad enough, Iran struck Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, damaging five more KC-135 Stratotankers on the ground.
According to The Wall Street Journal, citing two US officials, the refueling aircraft were struck by Iranian missiles but were not fully destroyed. They are currently being repaired.
This is a significant blow. Defense analysts estimate the US deployed roughly 20 KC-135 tankers to the region to support the air campaign. With two lost in the midair collision (one crashed, one damaged) and five more hit at the Saudi base — all within a 24-hour window — the Air Tasking Order may need to be significantly scaled back in the coming days.
KC-135 Stratotankers are the backbone of US aerial operations. Fighter jets, bombers, and surveillance aircraft all depend on them to extend their range over the vast distances between bases in the Gulf and targets deep inside Iran. Fewer tankers means fewer sorties, which means less pressure on Iranian military infrastructure.
US Embassy in Baghdad Hit for Second Time
On Saturday, March 14, a missile struck the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, hitting a helipad and sending plumes of smoke rising over the Green Zone. It was the second time the embassy had been attacked since Operation Epic Fury began.
The embassy had renewed its Level 4 security alert just hours before the attack, warning that “Iran and Iran-aligned armed groups have previously carried out attacks against US citizens, interests and infrastructure, and may continue to target them.”
Iraq is increasingly caught in a devastating crossfire. It’s the only country in the region facing strikes from both sides — US and Israeli strikes on Iranian-linked targets within Iraq, and Iranian-backed militia attacks on US positions. Camp Victory in Baghdad has also come under attack.
The situation threatens to drag Iraq — which had so far avoided the worst of two years of regional turmoil — into a full-blown crisis of its own.
Pentagon Says Iran’s Offensive Capability ‘Functionally Destroyed’
Despite the tanker losses, the Pentagon painted a picture of overwhelming success at a March 13 briefing.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Air Force General Dan Caine told reporters that:
- Iranian missile volume is down 90 percent since the start of the war
- One-way attack drone volume is down 95 percent
- Iran’s entire ballistic missile production capacity has been “functionally destroyed or damaged”
- More than 50,000 US military personnel are supporting Operation Epic Fury
- Over 15,000 Iranian targets have been struck as of March 13
- The US and Israel have destroyed or damaged 60 Iranian ships and 30 minelayers
Additionally, an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are heading to the Middle East — a deployment that raises questions about whether ground operations could be on the table.
Iran Threatens to Hit Oil Infrastructure Across the Region
Iran’s military has not been sitting idle. Tehran’s joint military command reiterated its threat to attack US-linked “oil, economic and energy infrastructures” throughout the region if Iran’s own oil infrastructure is targeted.
This came after the US struck military sites on Kharg Island — the critical hub handling Iran’s oil exports. President Trump warned he would “wipe out” Kharg Island’s oil infrastructure entirely if Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed the US attacked Kharg Island from two locations inside the UAE — Ras Al-Khaimah and a site “very close to Dubai” — and warned that Iran would retaliate. Iran urged civilians to evacuate Jebel Ali port in Dubai, Khalifa port in Abu Dhabi, and the Fujairah port.
While no attack materialized on the Dubai or Abu Dhabi ports, debris from an intercepted Iranian drone sparked a fire at an oil facility in Fujairah.
The Strait of Hormuz: A Global Chokepoint Under Siege
The Strait of Hormuz — through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally transits — remains effectively closed. Iranian sea drone attacks have struck oil tankers, and the mining threat continues despite CENTCOM reporting it has destroyed 16 Iranian minelayers near the strait.
President Trump called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and other nations to send warships to help keep the strait “open and safe.” Britain responded by saying it was discussing “a range of options” with allies to secure shipping.
Araghchi dismissed Trump’s request as “begging” and urged neighboring countries to “expel foreign aggressors.”
In a separate move that raised eyebrows, Trump temporarily waived sanctions on Russian oil already loaded in tankers at sea for 30 days — a decision widely seen as a significant concession to Moscow and an acknowledgment of the global energy supply crisis caused by the Hormuz closure.
What Happens Next?
The refueler crisis is the most underreported story of the war so far. While the Pentagon touts impressive strike numbers and degraded Iranian capabilities, the practical reality is that sustaining a high-tempo air campaign over Iran requires a massive tanker fleet. Losing a quarter or more of that fleet in 24 hours is not something you can shrug off.
Expect the Air Tasking Order to be adjusted. Expect more emphasis on naval assets and potentially the deployment of additional tankers from other commands. And watch Iraq closely — it’s becoming the war’s most dangerous wildcard.
Operation Epic Fury is far from over. But the question is no longer just whether the US can break Iran’s military capability — it’s whether it can sustain the pace needed to do so.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as the situation evolves.