Washington, D.C. — The Pentagon has identified the six U.S. Air Force service members who died when a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during a mission connected to Operation Epic Fury.
The aircraft went down on March 12, 2026, while operating in friendly airspace, and officials confirmed the incident was not caused by hostile or friendly fire.
The airmen killed in the crash were identified as Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio.
According to military officials, the crew was flying aboard a KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft, a plane designed to refuel other military jets during flight, allowing them to remain in combat zones for extended periods.
The crash reportedly followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft, though the second plane involved landed safely.
The loss of the six airmen has brought the number of U.S. service members killed in connection with the conflict involving Iran to 13, according to defense officials.
Three of the airmen — Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt — were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, serving with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, which operates from Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama.
The other three crew members — Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons — were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.
Maj. John “Alex” Klinner served as the chief of standardization and evaluation for the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, overseeing flight training and operational readiness for more than 30 aircrew members.
A graduate of Auburn University, he entered the Air Force through the ROTC program in 2017 and had deployed multiple times during his career.
Capt. Ariana G. Savino served as chief of current operations for the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, coordinating training schedules and flight missions for the unit.
She initially served as a combat systems officer before completing pilot training in 2025 and earning her wings as a KC-135 pilot. Savino commissioned through the ROTC program at Central Washington University in 2017.
Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt worked as an instructor boom operator and assistant flight chief of operations, responsible for training other airmen in the complex process of transferring fuel between aircraft mid-flight.
She joined the Air Force in 2017 and was promoted to technical sergeant in 2025.
Among the crew from Ohio, Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons served as a boom operator with the 121st Air Refueling Wing.
A graduate of Eastmoor Academy High School in Columbus, Simmons joined the military after working in security and became known among family and friends for his positive personality and dedication to aviation.
Capt. Seth R. Koval, who had served for 19 years, began his military career as a machinist before later becoming a pilot.
A graduate of Purdue University, he specialized in training pilots for missions involving air refueling, cargo transport, passenger operations, and aeromedical evacuation.
Capt. Curtis J. Angst earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Cincinnati and enlisted in the Ohio National Guard in 2015.
After completing pilot training, he became qualified to operate missions involving global air refueling and transport operations.
Leaders across several states expressed condolences following the tragedy. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, and U.S. Senator Patty Murray of Washington each released statements honoring the service and sacrifice of the fallen airmen.
Military officials say the crash remains under active investigation, and further details about the incident are expected once investigators complete their review of flight data and operational conditions.
For now, the six airmen — Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons — are being remembered across the country for their dedication to service and the sacrifices they made while supporting U.S. military operations overseas.
