COLUMBUS, OH — Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that flags across the state be flown at half-staff to honor three Ohio Air National Guard members killed in action during a refueling mission in Iraq.
The order, effective immediately, applies to the United States and Ohio flags atop all public buildings and grounds statewide. The flags will remain lowered until sunset on the day of the airmen’s respective funerals.
Tragic Loss in Western Iraq
The state’s mourning follows a formal confirmation from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) that all six crew members aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker perished when their aircraft went down in western Iraq on March 12.
Three of those six service members were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing, stationed at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus. The crew was supporting Operation Epic Fury at the time of the incident.
“Fran and I are deeply saddened by this news and offer our sincere condolences to their families,” Governor DeWine said in a statement. The 121st is a pillar of the Central Ohio military community, and this loss marks one of the most significant tragedies for the unit in recent history.
The Investigation: Non-Combat Incident
While the crash occurred in a theater of operation, military officials have definitively ruled out any form of combat as the cause.
- Friendly Airspace: The aircraft was flying in secured, friendly airspace when the incident occurred.
- No Hostile Action: CENTCOM confirmed the tanker was not targeted by enemy fire, nor was it the victim of an accidental “friendly fire” engagement.
- Safe Landing for Second Crew: The mission involved two aircraft; the second KC-135 was able to land safely following the emergency, providing investigators with a surviving witness crew.
A formal safety board is now investigating potential mechanical failure or environmental factors involving the aging refueling fleet.
Next Steps for Families
The identities of the three Ohio airmen and their three crewmates are currently being withheld. Under military protocol, names are released 24 hours after the final next-of-kin notifications are completed.
The Governor’s office noted that the flag-lowering order will be officially updated with the names of the fallen once they are confirmed by the U.S. Department of Defense.
