HOUSTON – The U.S. Department of War has identified the six Air Force airmen who were killed when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq earlier this week.
The airmen were supporting Operation Epic Fury when the aircraft went down March 12 while flying over friendly airspace. Officials say the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The service members killed were identified as:
Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, AlabamaMaj. John A. Klinner (Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, WashingtonCapt. Ariana G. Savino (Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, KentuckyTech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt (Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, IndianaCapt. Seth R. Koval (Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, OhioCapt. Curtis J. Angst (Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, OhioTech Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons (Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)
Klinner, Savino and Pruitt were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, while Koval, Angst and Simmons were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.
Earlier statements from U.S. Central Command said the aircraft was lost around 2 p.m. Eastern on March 12 during the mission. Two aircraft were involved in the incident, with one landing safely and the KC-135 crashing in western Iraq.
Four Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq
TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue.
The…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 13, 2026
Officials said the loss of the aircraft was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire.
Search and rescue operations continued following the crash, and by March 13 all six crew members aboard the aircraft had been confirmed dead.
At MacDill Air Force Base, leaders said the base community is grieving the loss of three members of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, a geographically separated unit based at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama, that operates under the 6th Air Refueling Wing.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Alex, Ariana and Ashley,” said Col. Ed Szczepanik, commander of the 6th Air Refueling Wing. “To lose a member of the Air Force family is excruciatingly painful. To lose them at the same time is unimaginable.”
Szczepanik said the base community would honor the fallen airmen and support their families.
“Our communities feel this loss deeply and Team MacDill will ensure their sacrifices and service to our nation are never forgotten,” he said.
Officials say the crash remains under investigation and additional details will be released as they become available.
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