March 12, 2026 — Western Iraq — Six U.S. Air Force crew members were killed in a KC-135 refueling plane crash during Operation Epic Fury, when their Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker (62-3556) collided midair with another KC-135 over friendly airspace, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported.
The second aircraft, KC-135R (63-8017), sustained damage to half its vertical tail but landed safely at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. CENTCOM confirmed the crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire, with an investigation ongoing into the circumstances.
Timeline of CENTCOM Updates
CENTCOM first announced the loss on March 12, stating rescue efforts were underway:
U.S. Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury… This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. [1]
By March 13, four crew members were confirmed deceased, later updated to all six:
All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased… The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. [2] [12]
Victim Identities Released
The Pentagon identified the six U.S. Air Force crew members killed in the KC-135 refueling plane crash in Iraq on March 14:
- Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, Auburn, Ala.
- Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, Covington, Wash.
- Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, Bardstown, Ky.
- Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, Mooresville, Ind.
- Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, Wilmington, Ohio
- Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, Columbus, Ohio
Assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing (Florida) and 121st Air Refueling Wing (Ohio Air National Guard), the victims hailed from multiple states including three from Ohio, one each from Alabama, Washington, Kentucky, and Indiana. [5]
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey stated:
They were not only outstanding Airmen. They were our neighbors — our fellow Alabamians. May their service and that of their families never be forgotten.
Context and Background
The KC-135 Stratotanker, a long-serving Boeing aircraft used for aerial refueling, medical evacuations, and surveillance, has been involved in prior fatal accidents, including one in 2013. The crash occurred amid U.S. operations related to tensions with Iran. [4] [9] [10]
Major outlets including CNN, NBC News, and CBS News confirmed the details of the six U.S. Air Force crew members killed in the KC-135 refueling plane crash in Iraq.
