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.
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U.S. service members killed in refueling aircraft crash in Iraq identified as Ohio National Guard members and Florida-based crew
who were killed in a military refueling aircraft crash over Iraq last week have been identified as members of the Ohio Air National Guard and Florida-based crew members. The Department of Defense on Saturday identified them as: Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana Capt. Curtis J.…
U.S. Identifyes Six Military Killed in KC-135 Aircraft Accident in Iraq During Epic Fury Support Operations Against Iran · Global Voices
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…
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