The Department of Defense has identified the six U.S. service members killed when a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on March 12. The fatal incident occurred during combat operations in support of Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S.-led military campaign against Iran.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the aircraft went down in “friendly airspace” following an unspecified mid-air incident involving another tanker. While the second aircraft returned to base and landed safely, all six crew members aboard the downed Stratotanker were confirmed deceased.
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The Fallen Service Members
The Pentagon released the names of the deceased over the weekend, identifying a mix of active-duty Air Force and Air National Guard personnel:
| Name | Rank | Age | Hometown | Unit |
| John A. “Alex” Klinner | Major | 33 | Birmingham, AL | 6th Air Refueling Wing |
| Ariana G. Savino | Captain | 31 | Covington, WA | 6th Air Refueling Wing |
| Ashley B. Pruitt | Tech. Sgt. | 34 | Bardstown, KY | 6th Air Refueling Wing |
| Seth R. Koval | Captain | 38 | Mooresville, IN | 121st Air Refueling Wing |
| Curtis J. Angst | Captain | 30 | Wilmington, OH | 121st Air Refueling Wing |
| Tyler H. Simmons | Tech. Sgt. | 28 | Columbus, OH | 121st Air Refueling Wing |
Investigation and Operational Context
Military officials have confirmed that the loss was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire. Investigators are currently analyzing flight data to determine the cause of the mid-air contact between the two refueling vessels.
The KC-135 is a cornerstone of American air power, enabling long-range strikes by refueling fighters and bombers mid-flight. The crash marks the first Air Force fatalities of the war, bringing the total U.S. death toll to 13 since the conflict began on February 28. Previous casualties include seven Army Reserve soldiers killed by Iranian drone and missile strikes in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Tributes to the Crew
Families and commanders have begun sharing details of the lives lost in the line of duty.
- Maj. Alex Klinner: A newly promoted pilot and father of three, including 7-month-old twins. His family described him as a “servant leader” who had been deployed for less than a week when the crash occurred. A GoFundMe for his widow, Libby, has already raised over $1.2 million.
- Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt: An instructor boom operator with nearly 900 combat flight hours. Her husband, Gregory, described her as “radiant,” noting she was the “light in the room.”
- Capt. Seth Koval: A veteran with 19 years of service, Koval was an instructor pilot and a “fixer of all things,” according to his wife, Heather.
- Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons: A boom operator remembered for a smile that “could light up any room.”
“To lose a member of the Air Force family is excruciatingly painful,” said Col. Ed Szczepanik, commander of the 6th Air Refueling Wing. “To lose them at the same time is unimaginable. Our hearts and minds are with the families of our fallen Airmen.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the tragedy during a briefing, stating, “War is chaos. As we saw with the tragic crash of our KC-135, bad things can happen. These were American heroes.”
The crash underscores the high operational tempo of Operation Epic Fury, which aims to neutralize the Iranian regime’s nuclear capabilities and regional influence. As the investigation continues, the Air Force has not indicated any plans to ground the aging KC-135 fleet, which has been in service for over 60 years.
