The US military has released the names of the six pilots killed in a tanker plane crash in the West Iraq Earlier this week, tributes continued to be paid to aircrews serving in various states and units. United States Air ForceFox News reported.
Thursday’s KC-135 crash remains under investigation.
The Pentagon announced Saturday that the victims were:
Maj. Alex Klingner (33): 6th Air Refueling Wing (Florida).
Captain Ariana G. Savino (31): 6th Air Refueling Wing (Florida).
Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt (34): 6th Air Refueling Wing (Florida).
Capt. Seth R. Koval (38): 121st Air Refueling Wing (Ohio).
Captain Curtis J. Angst (30): 121st Air Refueling Wing (Ohio).
Technical Sergeant Tyler Simmons (28): 121st Air Refueling Wing (Ohio).
The incident brings to 13 the total number of U.S. service members killed in the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The pilot on board a KC-135 Stratotanker was refueling when it crashed in western Iraq, according to the U.S. military. Officials said the crash “was not caused by enemy fire or friendly fire.” Two aircraft were involved in the operation as part of Operation Epic Fury, the Pentagon’s designation for the current military engagement with Iran, although the second aircraft successfully landed.
The three aircrew members, Klingner, Savino and Pruitt, are assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and serve with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron in Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey paid tribute to them, saying, “They were more than outstanding airmen. They were our neighbors — our fellow Alabamians. May their service and that of their families never be forgotten.”
The remaining three aircraft, Koval, Ernst and Simmons, are part of the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine also recognized their service, emphasizing that their roles involve complex and dangerous missions. He said in a post on
The Pentagon has confirmed that nearly 140 personnel have been injured in multiple incidents over the past few weeks, highlighting the risks associated with continued operations in the Middle East.
As families mourn their hero, a GoFundMe initiative to assist Major Klingner’s family has surpassed $467,000, demonstrating the community’s unity in dealing with the loss of these public servants.
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