TAMPA, Fla. — MacDill Air Force Base is mourning the loss of three members of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron based in Birmingham, Alabama.
The three were killed on March 12 when a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in Iraq as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Saturday evening, the 6th Air Refueling Wing identified the crew as Major Alex Klinner, Captain Ariana Savino, and Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Alex, Ariana and Ashley” said U.S. Air Force Col. Ed Szczepanik, 6th Air Refueling Wing Commander. “To lose a member of the Air Force family is excruciatingly painful, especially to those who know them as son, daughter, brother, sister, spouse, mom, or dad. To lose them at the same time is unimaginable. Our hearts and minds are with the family, friends and loved ones of our fallen Airmen.”
The airmen were stationed at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, in Birmingham, Alabama and assigned to MacDill’s 6th Air Refueling Wing.
According to MacDill Air Force Base, the 99th Air Refueling Squadron is a geographically separated unit but functions administratively under the 6th Air Refueling Wing.
“The fallen Airmen will be returned to the United States via a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base as expeditiously as possible,” MacDill officials said.
Three other fallen airmen also on board at the time of the crash were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus, Ohio.
The circumstances of the incident involving another Stratotanker are under investigation and more information will be released as it becomes available.
U.S. officials tell 10 Tampa Bay News Anchor Courtney Robinson the plane that landed is from the California Air National Guard.
For those at MacDill, counseling services are available through MacDill Military Family Life Counselors at 813-816-3061 or 813-210-7822, and Chaplains are available at 813-828-3621.