Pentagon releases names of 6 US service members killed in refueling jet crash

Officials say the aircraft went down during missions in relation to Operation Epic Fury. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and details about exactly what happened haven’t been fully released yet, reports Military Times.

The service members killed were Maj. John “Alex” Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio.

Klinner, Savino, and Pruitt were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. Koval, Angst, and Simmons served with the 121st Air Refueling Wing based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Alex, Ariana and Ashley,” US Air Force Col. Ed Szczepanik, commander of the 6th Air Refueling Wing, said in a statement. “To lose a member of the Air Force family is excruciatingly painful, especially to those who know them as son, daughter, brother, sister, spouse, mom, or dad. To lose them at the same time is unimaginable. Our hearts and minds are with the family, friends and loved ones of our fallen Airmen.”

Maj. Klinner served as chief of Squadron Standardizations and Evaluations with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron. He entered the Air Force through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Auburn University in 2017 and deployed in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2026. His decorations include the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Aerial Achievement Medal.

Capt. Savino served as chief of Current Operations Pilot with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron after commissioning through ROTC at Central Washington University in 2017. She deployed in 2020 and again in 2026.

Tech. Sgt. Pruitt worked as an instructor, boom operator, and assistant flight chief of operations. She joined the Air Force in May 2017 and deployed four times, including the current 2026 mission.

Among the Ohio Air National Guard members killed was Capt. Seth R. Koval, a KC-135 instructor pilot who first enlisted in 2006 before earning his commission in 2018. Capt. Curtis J. Angst, another KC-135 pilot, enlisted in the Ohio Guard in 2015 and received his commission in 2021. Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons served as a boom operator and mobility force aviator after joining the Air Force in 2017.

“Today we mourn the loss of three remarkable Airmen whose service and commitment embodied the very best of our Ohio National Guard,” Ohio Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff said. “Their impact on their teammates and our mission will not be forgotten. 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 downed aircraft is the fourth manned US aircraft lost during combat operations this month. According to officials, 13 US service members have been killed and roughly 140 wounded, including eight severely, in the first two weeks of Operation Epic Fury.

“Our service members make an incredible sacrifice to go forward and do the things that the nation asks of them,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said Friday. “It’s a reminder of the true cost of the dedication and commitment of the joint force.”