In a solemn tribute, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has decreed that American flags be flown at half-staff starting Tuesday. This gesture is in memory of three service members from Birmingham, Alabama, who tragically lost their lives in Iraq amidst the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Authorities have reported a tragic incident involving a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. This refueling tanker, engaged in Operation Epic Fury over western Iraq, experienced a catastrophic event, resulting in the deaths of six service members on Thursday.
Among the fallen, three belonged to the 99th Air Refueling Squadron of the 117th Air Refueling Wing, based at the Sumpter Smith Joint Air National Guard Base. These individuals had dedicated themselves to their roles in supporting air missions critical to national security.
Major Alex Klinner from Alabama was identified as one of the six service members who perished in the crash. His sacrifice, along with his fellow squadron members, underscores the immense risks faced by military personnel serving abroad.
In a memo, Governor Ivey expressed her intention to honor these valiant service members. “To honor these brave military personnel who gave their lives in service to our country, I am directing all flags be lowered on the day of interment of Alabama native Major John A. Klinner,” she stated. The exact date for Major Klinner’s interment will be announced at a later time.
The date of Klinner’s interment has not yet been announced.
Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33, a resident of Trussville, Ala, and Auburn University alumnus, served as chief of squadron standardization and evaluations.
Klinner, an eight-year Air Force veteran, received awards including the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Aerial Achievement Medal and the Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
He is survived by his wife, Libby, and their three young children.
A GoFundMe campaign for Klinner’s family has raised nearly $1.4 million from roughly 13,000 donors, as of Tuesday.
The Pentagon identified six U.S. Air Force airmen killed when their aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday as investigators continue probing the cause. (Fox News)
The other two fallen service members who served in the 99th Air Refueling Squadron were identified as Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Washington, who was a graduate of Central Washington University and Air Force ROTC — with over 300 combat hours, and Technical Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Kentucky, who received two associate’s degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and had over 900 combat flight hours.
Pruitt is survived by her husband, Gregory, a young daughter and a stepson.
