WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Defense has officially released the names of the six Air Force service members killed in Thursday’s crash of a KC-135 Stratotanker in western Iraq.
The fallen include three members of the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing, based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, and three members of the 6th Air Refueling Wing from MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
The Fallen Ohioans
The loss strikes a deep chord in Central Ohio, as the three local airmen were veteran members of the Rickenbacker-based unit supporting Operation Epic Fury:
- 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.
Governor Mike DeWine has already ordered flags to remain at half-staff across the state in honor of their service and sacrifice.
Florida-Based Crew Members
The remaining three crew members were stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa:
- Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama.
- Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington.
- Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky.
Status of the Investigation
All six airmen died on March 12, 2026, when their aircraft went down while operating in friendly airspace. While the investigation is ongoing, military officials have previously stated that the crash was not the result of hostile fire.
The KC-135 is a critical asset in the U.S. arsenal, providing mid-air refueling that allows long-range missions across the Middle East. The 121st and the 6th wings are among the most active refueling units in the Air Force, frequently deploying to ensure mission readiness in global “hot spots.”
