Pentagon names six airmen killed in crash during combat operations in Iran

WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Pentagon identified six service members who were killed on March 12 after the U.S. Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed while combat operations were taking place in Iraq.

The following were identified in the crash, assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

• Maj. John “Alex” Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama
• Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington
• Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky

The following were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing out of Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.

• Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana
• Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio
• Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Alex, Ariana and Ashley,” U.S. Air Force Col. Ed Szczepanik, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, said in a release Saturday.

“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. Our hearts and minds are with the family, friends and loved ones of our fallen Airmen.”

The incident is currently under investigation.