1 hour ago
Last Updated:March 15, 2026, 09:59 IST
According to the US military, the crew members were on board a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft when it crashed in western Iraq on Thursday.
Left to right: Maj. John A. Klinner, Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, and Capt. Ariana G. Savino (MacDill Air Force Base/Ohio Guard)
The Pentagon on Saturday released the identities of the six airmen who were killed in an aircraft crash in western Iraq on Thursday.
The airmen have been identified as 33-year-old Maj. John A. Klinner of Auburn, Alabama; 31-year-old Capt. Ariana G. Savino of Covington, Washington; 34-year-old Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt of Bardstown, Kentucky; 38-year-old Capt. Seth R. Koval of Mooresville, Indiana; 30-year-old Capt. Curtis J. Angst of Wilmington, Ohio; and 28-year-old Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons of Columbus, Ohio.Klinner,
Savino and Pruitt were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing based at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. Koval, Angst and Simmons were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air Guard Base in Columbus.
According to the US military, the crew members were on board a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft when it crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. The military added that the incident was “not due to hostile fire or friendly fire."
The Pentagon said on Saturday that the incident remains under investigation.
In an earlier statement, the Pentagon said two aircraft were involved in an incident over western Iraq while operating during Operation Epic Fury, the name given by the Pentagon for the war with Iran. It added that the second aircraft landed safely.
The KC-135 enables aircraft to refuel mid-air, allowing them to remain in a battle zone for longer durations. The aircraft can also be configured to transport cargo and medical patients. The Air Force did not disclose the mission the aircraft involved in Thursday’s incident were carrying out.
With the deaths of the crew members, the number of US troops killed in connection with the war with Iran has risen to 13.
Location :
United States of America (USA)
First Published:
March 15, 2026, 08:19 IST
News world 28-Year-Old Sergeant, 5 Other US Airmen Killed In Iraq Aircraft Crash Identified
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