The Pentagon confirmed six U.S. service members died when a KC-135 refueling tanker crashed over western Iraq during a combat mission in support of Operation Epic Fury. The crash happened in friendly airspace after an unspecified interaction with another aircraft that landed safely, and officials said it was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. An investigation is ongoing as military leaders work to gather facts and notify families.
The aircrew came from two refueling wings: members assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida and to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus, Ohio. The Pentagon released names of the six killed and provided initial biographies as officials coordinated with state and local leaders. This loss underscores the danger refueling crews face while keeping other aircraft airborne on long operations.
The service members killed were Maj. John “Alex” Klinner, 33; Capt. Ariana Savino, 31; Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34; Capt. Seth Koval, 38; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28. Each brought specialized skills to the KC-135 mission set, from piloting and instruction to boom operations that keep fighters and surveillance aircraft fueled and mission-capable. Their units and families are now grieving while commands manage the next steps in a formal inquiry.
Maj. John “Alex” Klinner left behind three small children, including 7-month-old twins and a 2-year-old son, family members confirmed. A graduate of Auburn University and an eight-year Air Force veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, Klinner had recently moved his family into a new home. “It’s kind of heartbreaking to say: He was just a really good dad and really loved his family a lot — like a lot,” Harrill said.
Klinner was remembered by relatives as an outdoorsman who liked hiking and as someone quick to lend a hand, whether at a family wedding or clearing a driveway. His brother-in-law recalled Klinner helping shovel a vehicle out of the snow earlier this year. The personal remembrances highlight the daily life behind the uniform that his loved ones will now carry forward.
His wife, Libby Klinner, shared the private loss in public words that capture the void the family faces. “They won’t get to see firsthand the way he would jump up to help in any way he could,” she wrote in a post. “They won’t see how goofy and funny he was. They won’t witness his selflessness, the way he thought about everyone else before himself. They won’t get to feel the deep love he had for them.”
Capt. Ariana Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington, and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky, were also part of the MacDill-based crew aboard the KC-135 when it went down. Both deployed as part of the mission in western Iraq and served alongside fellow airmen in the refueling role that enables sustained air operations. Their deaths have drawn condolences from their home communities and wingmates alike.
Capt. Seth Koval and Capt. Curtis Angst served with the 166th Air Refueling Squadron at the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus, Ohio, and were among the Ohio National Guard members lost. Koval, a Purdue graduate and long-serving aviator, enlisted in 2006 and later earned a commission, logging thousands of flight hours including significant combat time. Angst, a University of Cincinnati aerospace engineering graduate, rose from enlisted service to pilot qualification and had been building his flight record since earning his commission.
Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons of Columbus was a KC-135R boom operator responsible for transferring fuel in flight, a role demanding precision and calm under pressure. Simmons joined the Air Force in 2017, later transitioning into aviation duties, and had accumulated hundreds of total and combat flight hours. His family said he brought warmth and presence to every room: “Tyler’s smile could light up any room, his strong presence would fill it. His parents, grandparents, family and friends are grief stricken for the loss of life,” they said.
Ohio Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff expressed state sorrow and respect for the fallen airmen. “Today we mourn the loss of three remarkable Airmen whose service and commitment embodied the very best of our Ohio National Guard,” Woodruff said. Commands are assisting families and coordinating honors as the formal investigation continues.
The KC-135 Stratotanker serves as a force multiplier, refueling other aircraft midair so they can extend missions without landing, while also supporting medevac and surveillance efforts when needed. The Congressional Research Service reported the Air Force inventory includes hundreds of KC-135s across active duty, Air National Guard, and Reserve units, with the airframe in service for more than six decades. As investigators piece together the chain of events, commanders emphasize safety, accountability, and honoring the service of those lost.
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