US Military Names Six Crew Killed In Refuelling Aircraft Crash In Iraq
US military names six crew killed in refuelling aircraft crash in Iraq
The United States military has named all six service members who were killed when a refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq.
The aircraft, a KC-135 Stratotanker, went down on 12 March 2026 while supporting operations linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran. All six crew members on board were killed.The Pentagon said the crash happened in friendly airspace during a mission involving two KC-135 aircraft. One aircraft crashed while the other was damaged but managed to land safely in Israel. The cause of the incident is still under investigation, though officials have said it was not the result of hostile or friendly fire
The US Department of Defense identified the victims as:
- Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33 – from Alabama
- Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31 – from Washington
- Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38 – from Indiana
- Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30 – from Ohio
- Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34 – from Kentucky
- Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28 – from Ohio
Several of the airmen were members of the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing, while others served with Air Force units involved in aerial refuelling operations.Military leaders and families paid tribute to the crew, describing them as dedicated service members who carried out dangerous missions supporting allied forces in the region.
US defence officials said the incident highlights the risks faced by aircrews during complex refuelling operations, which are critical for sustaining long-range combat flights. The crash also raised questions about safety procedures aboard the ageing KC-135 fleet, which has been in service for more than six decades.
Officials say a full investigation is underway to determine what caused the aircraft to crash.
