The Pentagon has identified six U.S. Air Force airmen who were killed when a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday during operations linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The victims were 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.
Klinner, Savino and Pruitt were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, serving with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron based at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama.
Koval, Angst and Simmons were members of the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.
Officials said the crew was flying a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft when it crashed. The U.S. military confirmed the incident was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. Another aircraft involved in the incident landed safely. The crash remains under investigation.
The deaths raise the number of U.S. troops killed in connection with the Iran conflict to 13.
Maj. John “Alex” Klinner served as chief of standardization and evaluation for the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, overseeing training and flight proficiency for more than 30 aircrew members. He had deployed multiple times during his career and had recently been supporting Operation Epic Fury. Klinner leaves behind his wife and three young children.
Capt. Ariana Savino had recently completed pilot training and earned her wings as a KC-135 pilot in 2025. She served as chief of current operations for the squadron, coordinating daily flight schedules and missions. Friends described her as a mentor and rising leader who brought energy and dedication to those around her.
Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt served as an instructor boom operator and assistant flight chief of operations, responsible for training others in midair refueling procedures. She joined the Air Force in 2017 and was promoted to technical sergeant in 2025 after several deployments to the Middle East.
Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, a boom operator from Columbus, Ohio, was remembered by family members for his “million-dollar smile” and passion for aviation. He was the only child of his parents and had previously worked in security before joining the military.
Capt. Seth Koval had served in the Air Force for 19 years, beginning his career as a machinist before becoming a pilot. He trained pilots in air refueling and aeromedical missions and had earned several military awards during his service.
Capt. Curtis Angst joined the Ohio National Guard in 2015 and later completed pilot training in 2022. He served on global refueling and cargo missions and had previously deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
Leaders across several states expressed condolences to the families of the fallen airmen, describing them as dedicated service members who sacrificed their lives in service to the United States.
