The United States military has identified the six service members who tragically lost their lives last week when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq. Among the victims was a dedicated mother from Kentucky, remembered by her family as a radiant and proud airwoman.
'Radiant' Mother and Dedicated Airwoman
Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, from Bardstown, Kentucky, was one of the six fatalities. Her husband, Gregory Pruitt, described her in a phone interview as "radiant," stating, "If there was a light in the room, she was it." Pruitt, who served with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron from Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama, leaves behind a 3-year-old daughter and a stepson.
An assistant flight chief of operations and an instructor in operating the boom of a KC-135, Pruitt had nine years of military service, including three overseas deployments. She accumulated nearly 900 combat flight hours and held two associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The crash occurred on Thursday in what U.S. Central Command described as "friendly" airspace, during operations supporting actions against Iran. An unspecified incident involving another aircraft took place, but that plane landed safely. The KC-135, a tanker used for midair refueling to extend flight ranges and support operations, also serves roles in transporting wounded personnel and surveillance.
According to the Congressional Research Service, the Air Force operated 376 KC-135s last year, with 151 on active duty, 163 in the Air National Guard, and 62 in the Air Force Reserve. This aircraft model has been in service for over six decades.
Profiles of the Other Fallen Service Members
The victims included personnel from bases in Florida, Alabama, and Ohio. U.S. Air Force Col. Ed Szczepanik, commander of the 6th Air Refueling Wing, expressed profound grief, noting, "To lose a member of the Air Force family is excruciatingly painful... To lose them at the same time is unimaginable."
Major John A. 'Alex' Klinner
Maj. John A. "Alex" Klinner, 33, had recently been promoted to major in January and was deployed less than a week before the crash. A graduate of Auburn University and an eight-year Air Force veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, Klinner left behind three young children: 7-month-old twins and a 2-year-old son.
His brother-in-law, James Harrill, recalled Klinner as a kind and giving person, an outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking. Klinner had deployed four times since 2019, logging 362 combat hours and 181 combat support hours.
Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons
Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, served with the Ohio Air National Guard's 166th Air Refueling Squadron as a boom operator. His family described him as having a smile that could light up any room. Simmons joined the Air Force in 2017, earned an associate degree, and had 230 combat hours from three deployments over the past decade.
Captain Ariana G. Savino
Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, was a pilot with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, serving as chief of current operations. From Covington, Washington, she was a product of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Central Washington University, commissioned in 2017. Savino had over 300 combat hours and was promoted to captain in 2021.
Captain Seth R. Koval
Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, was an instructor pilot for the KC-135R Stratotanker with 19 years of service. A resident of Stoutsville, Ohio, he had more than 2,000 flight hours, including 443 in combat, and held a bachelor's degree in aviation operations from Purdue University. Koval deployed five times in the past 12 years and was promoted to captain in 2022.
Captain Curtis J. Angst
Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, had a decade of military service after earning a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard in 2015, with deployments in 2015 and this year. Angst had 880 flight hours, including 67 combat hours, and was promoted to captain in November.
Investigation and Aftermath
The crash is currently under investigation by U.S. military authorities. Maj. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff, the Ohio adjutant general, honored the three from Columbus as "remarkable Airmen whose service and commitment embodied the very best of our Ohio National Guard."
Families of the deceased are mourning their loss, with many highlighting the personal sacrifices and dedication of these service members. The incident underscores the risks faced by military personnel even in designated friendly airspace during ongoing operations.
