U.S. War Deaths Rise After Iraq Crash

Oil prices jump above $100 as Strait of Hormuz crisis worsens

Mar. 16, 2026 at 12:36am

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Six U.S. Air Force crew members were killed when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq during support operations tied to the Iran war. Their deaths come as the number of U.S. service members killed since the conflict began has climbed into the double digits. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil and Brent crude prices surged above $100 per barrel as the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint, continues to worsen.

Why it matters

The rising U.S. military casualties in the ongoing conflict with Iran, coupled with the disruption to global oil supply and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, are fueling concerns about the escalating tensions and the potential for the situation to spiral further out of control.

The details

The Pentagon identified the six U.S. Air Force crew members killed in the Iraq crash as Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, Tech. Sgt. Ashley G. Pruitt, Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons. Officials said the crash was not caused by hostile fire and remains under investigation. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil climbed 2.64% to $101.32 per barrel, while Brent crude rose 2.94% to $106.17 per barrel, as the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20% of the world's oil supply, continues to worsen.

The crash occurred during support operations tied to the Iran war.
The number of U.S. service members killed since the conflict began on February 28 has climbed into the double digits.
U.S. crude oil and Brent crude prices surged above $100 per barrel by 6:15 p.m. ET on March 15, 2026.