A shadow fell over Operation Epic Fury this week as a KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq, claiming the lives of six American service members. The crash occurred in airspace considered friendly, during a mission supporting ongoing operations, and involved an interaction with another aircraft that managed a safe landing. Investigations are underway, but initial reports rule out enemy fire.
Among those lost was Maj. John “Alex” Klinner, 33, of Birmingham, Alabama. A devoted husband and father to three young children – including 7-month-old twins – Klinner was described by his brother-in-law as “one of the most kind, giving people.” He’d recently settled his family into a new home, a future now tragically cut short. His wife, Libby, grieves for the experiences her children will miss, the simple joys of a father’s love now lost forever.
Capt. Ariana Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington, also perished in the crash. A fellow crew member aboard the KC-135, her loss adds another layer of sorrow to this unfolding tragedy. Alongside her was Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky, a dedicated airman serving with the 6th Air Refueling Wing.
From the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus, Ohio, came three more heroes. Capt. Seth Koval, 38, a seasoned KC-135R Stratotanker Instructor Pilot with 19 years of service and over 2,000 flight hours, including 443 in combat. He began his career as a machinist before earning his commission and becoming an instructor.
Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, also of the 121st, was a rising star, qualifying as a KC-135R pilot just this past April after earning a degree in aerospace engineering. He transitioned from vehicle maintenance to the cockpit, accumulating nearly 900 flight hours, 67 of them in combat zones.
Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, completed the Ohio contingent, serving as a KC-135R Boom Operator. He joined the Air Force in 2017, initially in security forces, before finding his calling in aviation. His family described a man whose smile could “light up any room,” a presence now deeply missed.
The KC-135 Stratotanker, a vital component of aerial operations for over six decades, provides in-flight refueling, extending the reach and endurance of other aircraft. With a fleet of 376, the Air Force relies heavily on these planes for missions around the globe. But on this day, one Stratotanker became a symbol of profound loss.
Ohio’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff, mourned the three airmen from his state as “remarkable” individuals, embodying the best of the National Guard. The weight of their sacrifice resonates deeply, a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who serve.
