The Pentagon Names Six Airmen Killed in KC-135 Crash Over Iraq

The Pentagon has identified six service members who were killed on March 12 when a U.S. Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed during combat operations against Iran.

The incident occurred as American forces conducted operations in support of broader regional objectives and alongside partners in the area.

The fallen were Maj. John “Alex” Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky. They were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

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The other three service members who died were 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. They were all part of the 121st Air Refueling Wing out of Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Alex, Ariana and Ashley,” U.S. Air Force Col. Ed Szczepanik, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, said in a release Saturday.

“To lose a member of the Air Force family is excruciatingly painful, especially to those who know them as son, daughter, brother, sister, spouse, mom, or dad.”

“To lose them at the same time is unimaginable. Our hearts and minds are with the family, friends and loved ones of our fallen Airmen.”

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The incident is under investigation, and officials are reviewing flight records, maintenance logs, and mission parameters to determine the root causes and contributing factors.

In the meantime, leaders from across the Department of War have stressed the need to honor the memory of those lost and support their families during this difficult period.

Klinner served as the chief of Squadron Standardizations and Evaluations at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron.

He entered the Air Force in 2017 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Auburn University and deployed in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2026.

His decorations include the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf clusters.

Savino was the chief of Current Operations Pilot at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, earned her active duty commission in 2017 through the AFROTC at Central Washington University, and deployed in 2020 and 2026. Her awards include the Air Medal and the Air and Space Commendation Medal.

Pruitt was an assistant flight chief of Operations and KC-135 instructor boom operator at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron. She joined the Air Force in May 2017 and completed Career Enlisted Aviator training the following February.

Pruitt deployed in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2026, and her awards include the Air Medal with silver oak leaf cluster, the Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air and Space Achievement Medal.

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