COLUMBUS, OH — Governor Mike DeWine confirmed today that three of the six service members killed in yesterday’s KC-135 refueling aircraft crash in western Iraq were members of the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing, based out of Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.
The announcement follows a formal confirmation from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) that all six crew members aboard the aircraft perished in the March 12 incident.
A State in Mourning
Governor DeWine expressed his heartbreak upon receiving the news from Ohio’s Adjutant General. The 121st Air Refueling Wing is a cornerstone of Ohio’s military community, known for its frequent deployments in support of global refueling operations.
“Fran and I are deeply saddened by this news and offer our sincere condolences to their families,” Governor DeWine said in a statement.
The identities of the three Ohioans, as well as the other three crew members involved, are currently being withheld for 24 hours to ensure all family members have been properly notified.
The Investigation Continues
The KC-135 Stratotanker went down while flying over friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury. While the exact cause of the crash remains unknown, military officials have definitively ruled out combat-related causes.
- Hostile Fire Ruled Out: CENTCOM confirmed the aircraft was not targeted by enemy forces.
- Friendly Fire Ruled Out: There is no evidence of a mistaken engagement by allied units.
- Investigation Pending: A formal safety board will investigate mechanical failure, environmental factors, or other non-combat causes.
“Not Due to Hostile Action”
The incident involved two aircraft; the second KC-135 was able to land safely following the mid-mission emergency. Because the crash occurred in a non-combat context, the focus of the investigation will likely lean heavily toward the structural or mechanical health of the aging tanker fleet.
The 121st Air Refueling Wing has a long and storied history in Central Ohio, and the loss is expected to be felt deeply across the Columbus and Rickenbacker communities.
