6 US Service Members Killed in Iraq Air Crash

Radiant mother from Kentucky among those who died when refueling plane went down

Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:48pm

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Six U.S. service members, including a 'radiant' mother from Kentucky, were killed last week when a KC-135 refueling plane crashed in western Iraq. The crew members were tied to National Guard and Air Force units in Alabama, Florida, and Ohio. The crash occurred in 'friendly' airspace while supporting operations against Iran.

Why it matters

The crash highlights the ongoing risks and sacrifices faced by U.S. service members deployed overseas, even in areas considered relatively safe. It also raises questions about the aging KC-135 refueling fleet, which has been in service for over 60 years.

The details

The six service members killed were Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, from Kentucky; Maj. John A. 'Alex' Klinner, 33, from Alabama; Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, from Ohio; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, from Washington; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, from Ohio; and Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, from Ohio. They were involved in refueling operations, air transport, and other combat support roles.

  • The crash occurred on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
  • Maj. Klinner had been deployed less than a week when the crash happened.

The players

Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt

A 34-year-old mother from Bardstown, Kentucky, who was serving with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron from Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama.

Maj. John A. 'Alex' Klinner

A 33-year-old pilot from Birmingham, Alabama, who had just been promoted to major in January and had been deployed less than a week when the crash occurred.

Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons

A 28-year-old boom operator from Columbus, Ohio, who served with the Ohio Air National Guard's 166th Air Refueling Squadron.

Capt. Ariana G. Savino

A 31-year-old pilot from Covington, Washington, who was the chief of current operations for the 99th Air Refueling Squadron.

Capt. Seth R. Koval

A 38-year-old instructor pilot with 19 years of service, who was from Stoutsville, Ohio, and was with the 121st Air Refueling Wing.

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What they’re saying

“I'll give you something brief -– in a word, radiant. If there was a light in the room, she was it.”

— Gregory Pruitt, Husband of Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt (San Francisco Chronicle)

“To lose a member of the Air Force family is excruciatingly painful, especially to those who know them as son, daughter, brother, sister, spouse, mom, or dad. To lose them at the same time is unimaginable.”

— Col. Ed Szczepanik, Commander, 6th Air Refueling Wing (whec.com)

“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 Maj. John A. 'Alex' Klinner (Instagram)

What’s next

The U.S. military is investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred in 'friendly' airspace while supporting operations against Iran.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the ongoing risks and sacrifices made by U.S. service members deployed overseas, even in relatively safe areas. It also raises questions about the aging KC-135 refueling fleet and the need to ensure the safety and readiness of critical military assets.