US EditionPentagon identifies 6 Air Force airmen killed in KC-135 refueling aircraft crash in Iraq
The crash was not caused by hostile fire and follows an incident with another aircraft; it raises the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to 13, Pentagon officials said.
- On Thursday, March 12, a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, killing all six airmen aboard. The Pentagon confirmed their identities on Saturday.
- U.S. Central Command stated the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in friendly airspace; the second plane landed safely. Officials confirmed the loss was not caused by hostile or friendly fire.
- The six airmen were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing in Florida and the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Ohio: Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, Tech. Ashley B. Pruitt, Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, and Tech. Tyler H. Simmons.
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags at half-staff to honor the fallen. Col. Ed Szczepanik, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, said, "Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Alex, Ariana and Ashley."
- The crash marks the fourth manned U.S. aircraft lost during Operation Epic Fury, bringing the total death toll to at least 13 service members. The Pentagon continues investigating the incident.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Pentagon identifies six U.S. servicemembers killed in refueling aircraft crash
The Defense Department has identified the six U.S. servicemembers who were killed in a KC-135 refueling aircraft crash in western Iraq on Thursday. The airmen were identified as Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky., Capt. Seth…
Pentagon Identifies 6 Airmen Killed in Refueling Plane Crash in Iraq
The Pentagon has identified the six Airmen who were killed after their KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft crashed over western Iraq on March 12. The flight crew consisted of Maj. John A. Klinner, 33; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28. Klinner, Savino, and Pruitt were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, based out of Ma…
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