Trending Now - Six U.S. Airmen Identified Following Fatal Iraq Tanker Crash

WHO:

Maj. John "Alex" Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama, leaves behind three small children, including 7-month-old twins and a 2-year-old son.

Libby Klinner, wife of Maj. John Klinner, expressed heartbreak for their children, stating, "They won't get to see firsthand the way he would jump up to help in any way he could."

Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, served as a KC-135R Stratotanker Instructor Pilot with the 166th Air Refueling Squadron at the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus, Ohio.

Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, served as a KC-135R pilot with the 166th Air Refueling Squadron at the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus, Ohio.

Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, served as a KC-135R Boom Operator with the 166th Air Refueling Squadron.

Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington, was a member of the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, District 9, expressed condolences, stating, "I was greatly saddened to learn today of the passing of Capt. Ariana G. Savino."

Senator Murray stated, "I am heartbroken to learn about the passing of Capt. Ariana G. Savino from Washington state."

Simmons' mother, Cheryl Simmons, recalled the moment uniformed officers arrived at their home to deliver the news, stating, "When he opened the door he said, 'Oh no,' and I jumped up and ran in there and they were lined up out on the porch. 'You got to be kidding me.'"

Six U.S. service members identified as Maj. John A. Klinner (33, Auburn, Alabama), Capt. Ariana G. Savino (31, Covington, Washington), Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt (34, Bardstown, Kentucky), Capt. Seth R. Koval (38, Mooresville, Indiana), Capt. Curtis J. Angst (30, Wilmington, Ohio), and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons (28, Columbus, Ohio).

Assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio, and the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

WHAT:

The crash occurred during a combat mission in support of Operation Epic Fury.

The deaths of the six airmen bring the total number of U.S. troops killed in connection with the war with Iran to 13.

The Pentagon stated that the incident is still under investigation.

Capt. Ariana G. Savino had flown 348 combat hours as a Combat Systems Operator and as a Pilot of a KC-135 Stratotanker.

Savino had been awarded the Air Medal and Air and Space Commendation Medal during her years of service and training.

The crash occurred after Kuwait “mistakenly shot down” three American F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury.

The Pentagon stated that two aircraft were involved in an incident over western Iraq while operating during Operation Epic Fury, with the second aircraft landing safely.

Six service members died in a military refueling aircraft crash.

The crash involved a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft.

The incident is under investigation by the Department of Defense.

The crew was on a combat mission during Operation Epic Fury, related to the war with Iran.

The deaths of these service members bring the total number of U.S. troops killed in connection to the war with Iran to 13.

WHERE:

The crash occurred in western Iraq, near Turaibil, along the Iraqi-Jordanian border.

The service members were based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio, and MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

WHEN:

The crash occurred on March 12, 2026, and the Pentagon identified the service members on March 14, 2026.

The crash occurred on March 12, 2026.

The Pentagon identified the service members on March 14, 2026.

WHY:

The U.S. military confirmed that the crash was “not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.”

The crash was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire, according to the U.S. military.

HOW:

The KC-135 Stratotanker is used to refuel other aircraft in midair, allowing them to fly longer distances and sustain operations without landing. It can also transport wounded personnel and conduct surveillance missions.

The U.S. Air Force had 376 KC-135 aircraft in service as of 2025, including 151 on active duty, 163 in the Air National Guard, and 62 in the Air Force Reserve.

The KC-135 Stratotanker is also used to transport wounded personnel during medical evacuations or conduct surveillance missions, according to military experts.

The KC-135 aircraft is used for aerial refueling, allowing other aircraft to refuel in the sky.

(UPDATED March 15, 2026 15:01 UTC)

In a tragic incident during a combat mission supporting Operation Epic Fury, six airmen lost their lives, including Maj. John "Alex" Klinner, who leaves behind three young children, and Capt. Seth R. Koval, a seasoned instructor pilot. The deaths bring the total number of U.S. troops killed in connection with the ongoing war with Iran to 13, and the Pentagon has confirmed that the incident is still under investigation. The KC-135 Stratotanker, involved in the crash, is a critical aircraft used for midair refueling, allowing for extended flight operations, and as of 2025, the U.S. Air Force had 376 of these aircraft in service.

(UPDATED March 15, 2026 13:17 UTC)

Tragedy struck the military community as Capt. Ariana G. Savino, a 31-year-old member of the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, was killed in a crash following an incident where Kuwait mistakenly shot down three American F-15E Strike Eagles. Capt. Savino, who had flown 348 combat hours and received multiple awards including the Air Medal, was remembered fondly by King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn and Senator Murray, both expressing their heartbreak over her passing. The KC-135 Stratotanker, which Savino piloted, is known for its role in transporting wounded personnel and conducting surveillance missions.

(UPDATED March 15, 2026 09:03 UTC)

In a tragic incident on March 12, 2026, two aircraft were involved in a crash over western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, with one aircraft landing safely. The Pentagon confirmed on March 14 that the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, and the service members involved have been identified. Cheryl Simmons, the mother of one of the service members, recalled the heartbreaking moment when uniformed officers arrived at her home to deliver the news, saying, "When he opened the door he said, 'Oh no,' and I jumped up and ran in there and they were lined up out on the porch."

(UPDATED March 15, 2026 03:50 UTC)

Tragically, six U.S. service members lost their lives in a KC-135 Stratotanker crash in western Iraq on March 12, while they were on a combat mission for Operation Epic Fury related to the ongoing war with Iran. The Pentagon has identified the deceased as 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, bringing the total number of U.S. troops killed in connection to this conflict to 13. The crash, which is currently under investigation by the Department of Defense, was determined not to be caused by hostile or friendly fire.