The Pentagon has identified six service members who were killed on March 12 when a U.S. Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed during combat operations against Iran.
Maj. John “Alex” Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky, were killed in the crash, the Pentagon announced. They were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
Also deceased are Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio, each of whom were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing out of Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in 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 under investigation.
Klinner was the chief of Squadron Standardizations and Evaluations at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, the Air Force announced. He entered the Air Force in 2017 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Auburn University and would go on to deploy in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2026.
Klinner’s awards include the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Aerial Achievement Medal, and Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
Savino was the chief of Current Operations Pilot at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron. She earned her active duty commission in 2017 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Central Washington University and deployed in 2020 and 2026.
Savino’s awards include the Air Medal and the Air and Space Commendation Medal.
Pruitt was an assistant flight chief of Operations and KC-135 instructor boom operator at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, the service announced. She joined the Air Force in May 2017 and completed Career Enlisted Aviator training the following February.
Pruitt deployed in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2026, according to her service record. Her awards include the Air Medal with silver oak leaf cluster, the Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air and Space Achievement Medal.
Koval was a KC-135R Stratotanker instructor pilot who enlisted in the Air Force in 2006 as a machinist and would later earn his commission in 2018. He was promoted to captain in November 2022.
Koval deployed in 2014, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2026. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Air and Space Achievement Medal.
A KC-135R pilot, Angst enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard in May 2015 as a vehicle maintenance technician and would earn his commission in 2021, the service announced. He deployed in 2015 and 2026.
Angst’s awards include the Air and Space Commendation Medal, the Air and Space Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Unit Award, and the Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award.
Simmons was a KC-135R boom operator, according to the service. He joined the Air Force in 2017 and completed security forces technical training school in May 2018. He would deploy in 2018, 2023 and 2026.
Simmons became an inflight refueling specialist in April 2022, then a mobility force aviator in 2023. He was promoted to the rank of technical sergeant in May 2023. Simmons’ awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal.
“Today we mourn the loss of three remarkable Airmen whose service and commitment embodied the very best of our Ohio National Guard,” Maj. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff, Ohio adjutant general, said of Koval, Angst and Simmons. “Their impact on their teammates and our mission will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and fellow service members, and our entire Guard family stands with them as we grieve together during this difficult time.”
Numerous KC-135s are currently deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations, where crews have provided aerial refueling for other aircraft as a part of Operation Epic Fury.
The downed KC-135 is the fourth manned U.S. aircraft to be lost this month amid combat operations against the Islamic Republic.
A total of 13 U.S. service members have been killed during combat actions and roughly 140 more wounded — eight severely — across the opening two weeks of Operation Epic Fury.
Another service member, an Army National Guard officer who also served as a New York City policeman, died on March 6 following a non-combat incident.
“Our service members make an incredible sacrifice to go forward and do the things that the nation asks of them,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine said Friday while speaking about the crash. “It’s a reminder of the true cost of the dedication and commitment of the joint force.”
J.D. Simkins is Editor-in-Chief of Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.
