Columbus, Ohio — The family of Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, a 28-year-old U.S. Air Force airman from Columbus, Ohio, is mourning his loss after he was killed in a military aircraft crash in western Iraq while serving on an overseas mission.
Military officials confirmed that Tyler Simmons was one of six crew members who died when a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft went down on March 12, 2026, during operations connected to Operation Epic Fury.
According to U.S. Central Command, the crash occurred in friendly airspace following an incident involving two aircraft. One aircraft went down while the other landed safely. Authorities said the crash was not caused by hostile fire.
Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons served with the 121st Air Refueling Wing based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio.
In his role as a boom operator, Simmons was responsible for transferring fuel from the KC-135 to other military aircraft during flight, a complex and highly technical job essential to aerial operations.
Family members described Simmons as a devoted son, friend and airman who loved aviation and serving his country.
His cousin Tracy Peaks said Simmons’ personality and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
“He had a million-dollar smile,” Tracy Peaks said while remembering her cousin. “When people saw Tyler, they believed he was destined for great things.”
Simmons attended Eastmoor Academy High School in Columbus, where he played football and graduated in 2015 before beginning his military career.
According to relatives, he initially worked in security before being encouraged by superiors to train as a boom operator, a position he quickly embraced.
His mother, Cheryl Simmons, said her son had dreamed of spending his career in aviation. She recalled how passionate he became about his role once he began working aboard refueling aircraft.
“Once he got in the back of that airplane, that was it,” Cheryl Simmons said while remembering conversations with her son about his future plans in aviation.
The devastating news reached the family when uniformed officers arrived at their home to deliver the official notification of his death.
Leaders in Ohio and across the country expressed condolences following the tragedy.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther issued a statement honoring Simmons’ service and sacrifice, while U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty also shared a message of sympathy for the families of the fallen crew members.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine confirmed that two additional airmen killed in the crash were also from Ohio, though their names have not yet been widely released publicly.
The KC-135 Stratotanker, which has been in service for more than six decades, plays a crucial role in the U.S. military’s aerial refueling operations worldwide.
For the family of Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, however, the focus remains on remembering the life of a young man who dedicated himself to service and whose loss has left an immeasurable void.
As relatives and friends prepare to honor his memory, many continue to remember the airman not only for his military service, but for the kindness, loyalty and unforgettable smile that defined his life.
