Hard Numbers

US service members killed in crash over Iraq, Michigan synagogue attacked, Polish president rejects EU defense funds, North Korea tests missile

​A Boeing C-135 Stratotanker / Stratolifter military aircraft known as KC-135 of the United States Air Force USAF configured as Air Tanker Transport for aerial refueling, powered by 4x CFMI jet engines and tail number 63-8003. The military plane spotted flying over the Netherlands in the blue sky from Mainland USA to Tel Aviv TLV to support the Israel USA - Iran war known as Operation Epic Fury by the US Department of Defense. Venlo, the Netherlands on March 2, 2026
A Boeing C-135 Stratotanker / Stratolifter military aircraft known as KC-135 of the United States Air Force USAF configured as Air Tanker Transport for aerial refueling, powered by 4x CFMI jet engines and tail number 63-8003. The military plane spotted flying over the Netherlands in the blue sky from Mainland USA to Tel Aviv TLV to support the Israel USA - Iran war known as Operation Epic Fury by the US Department of Defense. Venlo, the Netherlands on March 2, 2026
Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto
4: The number of crew members aboard a US refuelling plane – out of six total – who died after the aircraft crashed in neighboring Iraq on Thursday, US Central Command said this morning. CENTCOM said the cause of the crash is still under investigation, but noted it was neither due to friendly nor hostile fire. The plane was part of Operation Epic Fury, and brings the total number of confirmed US deaths from the Iran conflict to 11.

140: The number of children and staff members present at a Michigan synagogue on Thursday when an armed man rammed his car into it. He was killed by security officers during the attack. Police described it as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”

€44 million: The amount of European Union’s defense funds that Polish President Karol Nawrocki rejected in a bid to increase military spending on Thursday. The right-wing leader argued that the funds would enable the EU to have a say in Warsaw’s defense and disproportionately benefit foreign arms makers.

11: The number of days North Korea will test missiles in its “Freedom Shield” drills, which began on Monday. The missile tests come as the US reportedly moves military assets, including Patriot batteries and parts of its air defense system, from the Korean peninsula to the Middle East to help its fight with Iran.

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