What we know about the 3 Ohio airmen killed in refueling aircraft crash

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Three of the six U.S. service members who died in a refueling aircraft crash last week in Iraq were from Ohio, according to state officials. According to a release from the Ohio Adjutant General's Department, Capts. Seth Koval and Curtis Angst as well as Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons died when a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the three other crew members who died in the crash include the following: 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 Gov. Mike DeWine said in a post on X that the three Ohioans were deployed with the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus. Koval, 38, was an aircraft commander from Stoutsville with 19 years of service. Angst, 30, was a KC-135 pilot from Columbus with 10 years of service. Simmons, an Eastmoor Academy High School graduate, was a 28-year-old boom operator with eight years of service. U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said the crash followed an unspecified incident involving a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft and another plane in “friendly airspace." The other plane reportedly landed safely in Israel. DeWine has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Angst, Koval and Simmons. United States and State of Ohio flags are to be lowered at all public buildings and grounds statewide. The flags will remains lowered until sunset on the day of their funerals. “Today we mourn the loss of three remarkable Airmen whose service and commitment embodied the very best of our Ohio National Guard. Their impact on their teammates and our mission will not be forgotten," said Maj. Gen. Matthew Woodruff. "Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and fellow service members, and our entire Guard family stands with them as we grieve together during this difficult time." The 121st Air Refueling Wing shared the following statement: "It is with a heavy heart that we share the tragic news of the passing of three Airmen from the 121st Air Refueling Wing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and fellow Airmen who mourn their loss. On March 12, 2026, they were among the six Airmen on a KC-135 Stratotanker that went down in western Iraq while flying a combat mission in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility. The incident occurred in friendly airspace involving two aircraft during Operation Epic Fury. We share in the sorrow of their loved ones, and we must not forget the valuable contributions these Airmen made to their country and the impact they have left on our organization. Additionally, we ask that you respect the family's wishes and provide them with space to mourn their loved ones during this difficult time."