FALLEN HEROES: Dept of War identifies six service members killed in Iraq

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Saturday night the Department of War released the identities of the six U.S. Air Force service members who were killed Thursday when their KC-135 refueling plane crashed in western Iraq.

The crew was supporting the ongoing Operation Epic Fury mission. This brings the total American service members killed in the operation to 13.

The U.S. Central Command had previously explained: The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely. This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.

Three of the fallen crew members were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida:

  • Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.;
  • Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.;
  • Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky.

The other three fallen crew members were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio:

  • Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.;
  • Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio;
  • Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio

Below is a photo of all six crew members. Those on the top row were based out of Ohio, and those shown on the bottom row were based out of Florida.

General Ken Wilsbach, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, said in a statement, “We will never forget the KC-135 crew, Zeus 95, that paid the ultimate sacrifice. These heroes make up our total force team and we mourn with their families. Their memory strengthens our resolve to fight, as we carry their legacy forward. NKAWTG…N!”

Details are emerging on some of their individual stories.

A photo is circulating of First Lieutenant Ariana A. Bush, pilot of a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft.

Maj. Alex Klinner, who has served in the U.S. Air Force for the past 8 years, leaves behind a wife, a 2-year-old, and 7 month old twins. A GoFundMe account set up to help his wife and children has already raised nearly $1 million as of Saturday night.

Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky leaves behind her husband Greg, their three-year-old daughter, Emilia, and her stepson, Oliver.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) wrote Saturday night, “Tonight, I’m asking every Floridian to join Ann and me in saying a special prayer for the families of TSgt Ashley B. Pruitt, Capt Ariana G. Savino, Maj John A. Klinner, Capt Seth R. Koval, Capt Curtis J. Angst, and TSgt Tyler H. Simmons — all brave heroes who lost their lives earlier this week. Three of them were stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. We will never forget them and the sacrifice they made serving our country.”

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