Crew of Fatal US Military Crash Included Alabama Father and Several from Ohio

The six service members who died in the crash of a US military refueling aircraft were from Alabama and Ohio.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 10:36pm

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The six US service members who died in the crash of a US military refueling aircraft included an Alabama father who had just been promoted to major and was deployed less than a week earlier, as well as several members based in Ohio. The crash occurred during a combat mission over 'friendly' territory in western Iraq, but was not due to hostile or friendly fire.

Why it matters

The loss of these six service members is a tragic event that highlights the risks and sacrifices made by US military personnel deployed overseas. The crash of the KC-135 Stratotanker, a mainstay of the US air refueling fleet, raises questions about the safety and maintenance of aging military aircraft.

The details

The refueling aircraft was supporting operations against Iran when an unspecified incident involving another aircraft occurred, causing the crash. The other plane landed safely. The six victims included an Alabama pilot, Alex Klinner, who had just been promoted to major and had a wife and three young children. Several of the other victims were from an Ohio Air National Guard unit based in Columbus.

  • The crash occurred on March 14, 2026.
  • Klinner had been deployed less than a week before the crash.
  • Klinner had just been promoted to major in January 2026.

The players

Alex Klinner

A 33-year-old pilot from Birmingham, Alabama who was an 8-year US Air Force veteran. He had just been promoted to major in January 2026 and had a wife and three young children.

Cheryl Simmons

The mother of Sgt. Tyler Simmons, another victim of the crash who was from Columbus, Ohio.

121st Air Refueling Wing

The Ohio Air National Guard unit based in Columbus that had three of its members killed in the crash.

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What they’re saying

“It's kind of heartbreaking to say: He was just a really good dad and really loved his family a lot — like a lot.”

— James Harrill, Brother-in-law of Alex Klinner

“They won't get to see firsthand the way he would jump up to help in any way he could. They won't see how goofy and funny he was. They won't witness his selflessness, the way he thought about everyone else before himself. They won't get to feel the deep love he had for them.”

— Libby Klinner, Wife of Alex Klinner

“Tyler's smile could light up any room, his strong presence would fill it. His parents, grandparents, family and friends are grief stricken for the loss of life.”

— Tyler Simmons' Family

What’s next

The US military is investigating the cause of the crash, which was not due to hostile or friendly fire. The identities of the other four service members killed have not yet been released by the Pentagon.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the ongoing risks and sacrifices made by US military personnel deployed overseas, even in 'friendly' airspace. It also raises questions about the safety and maintenance of aging refueling aircraft that are critical to sustaining US military operations globally.