Six U.S. Servicemembers Killed in Iraq Refueling Crash

The Defense Department has identified the airmen who died in the KC-135 incident.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 2:33am

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The U.S. Defense Department has identified the six servicemembers who were killed in a KC-135 refueling aircraft crash in western Iraq on March 12. The airmen were assigned to Air Force units in Florida and Ohio.

Why it matters

The crash of the KC-135 refueling plane, which is used to support a wide range of military aircraft, is a tragic loss for the U.S. armed forces. It comes amid ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations in the region that have already resulted in casualties.

The details

The six airmen killed were Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons. The crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, according to U.S. Central Command, and the other aircraft involved landed safely.

  • The KC-135 went down over western Iraq on March 12, 2026.
  • The Pentagon confirmed the incident was under investigation on March 14, 2026.

The players

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)

The U.S. military's regional command responsible for operations in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.

6th Air Refueling Wing

A U.S. Air Force unit based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.

121st Air Refueling Wing

A U.S. Air National Guard unit based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the risks and sacrifices made by U.S. servicemembers supporting military operations overseas. The loss of these six airmen is a somber reminder of the human toll of armed conflict.