U.S. service members killed in refueling aircraft crash in Iraq identified as Ohio National Guard members and Florida-based crew



Six U.S. service members who were killed in a military refueling aircraft crash over Iraq last week have been identified as members of the Ohio Air National Guard and Florida-based crew members. 

The Department of Defense on Saturday identified them as:

  • 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
  • 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

Koval, Angst and Simmons were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio. 

Klinner, Savino and Pruitt were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

U.S. service members killed in refueling aircraft crash in Iraq identified as Ohio National Guard members and Florida-based crew

Clockwise from top left: Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, and Maj. John A. Klinner.

National Guard


Simmons’ mother, Cheryl Simmons, recalled to CBS affiliate WBNS Friday the moment uniformed officers arrived at their home to deliver the news.

“When he opened the door he said, ‘Oh no,’ and I jumped up and ran in there and they were lined up out on the porch,” she told the station. “‘You got to be kidding me.'”

The six serviced members died on March 12 when an aerial refueling aircraft taking part in operations against Iran crashed in western Iraq. The KC-135 aircraft went down near Turaibil, which is along the Iraqi-Jordanian border, an Iraqi intelligence source told CBS News.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised them as “American heroes.”

Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the crew was on a combat mission but flying over friendly territory when the crash happened. The incident is under investigation, the Defense Department said.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner officially withdraws from race

    Graham Platner formally withdrew from the Maine Senate race on Friday, days after he announced he was suspending his campaign in the wake of a sexual assault allegation, which he…

    Judge vacates convictions of 4 Proud Boys in Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection

    A federal judge on Friday agreed to dismiss the convictions of four members of the far-right Proud Boys group for their actions in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. U.S.…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Phia accused of ‘cookie stuffing,’ taking affiliate credit on purchases it didn’t earn

    Phia accused of ‘cookie stuffing,’ taking affiliate credit on purchases it didn’t earn

    Canada Gazette – Part I, June 29, 2024, volume 158, number 26

    Canadian Red Cross opens appeal to support people impacted by flooding in Manitoba

    2 pedestrians dead after being struck by a driver in Scarborough

    2 pedestrians dead after being struck by a driver in Scarborough

    Harry Kane says Erling Haaland ‘completely different player’ than me

    Harry Kane says Erling Haaland ‘completely different player’ than me

    Why We Love Thirdlove’s Nipple Covers

    Why We Love Thirdlove’s Nipple Covers