An Ohio Air National Guardsman, known for his “million-dollar smile,” has been confirmed as one of the six service members who perished in a tragic Air Force refueling aircraft crash in Iraq.
Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, hailing from Columbus, was aboard the ill-fated US Air Force K-135 Stratotanker when it collided with another K-135 in “friendly airspace” during Operation Epic Fury, his family shared on Friday.
Just a day before the heartbreaking incident, the 28-year-old had a conversation with his mother, updating her on his deployment in the Middle East.
“He called me on Wednesday, and we were able to talk,” Cheryl Simmons explained to WSYX. “I was here, and we had a beautiful conversation. I asked him, ‘Tyler, how are you?’ He responded, ‘I’m good, I’m good,’ but as a mother, I knew he was facing challenges. He mentioned they had been shot at, but reassured me he was fine.”
Before his deployment to the Middle East, Simmons was part of the 121st Air Refueling Wing stationed at Ohio’s Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, actively involved in military operations concerning Iran.
The Columbus-based unit confirmed that three of its airmen lost their lives in the crash over western Iraq.
“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,” the 121st Air Refueling Wing said in a statement alongside a photo of a KC-135 with Ohio decals.
“Additionally, we ask that you respect the family’s wishes and provide them with space to mourn their loved ones during this difficult time.”
Simmons, a boom operator aboard the aircraft, was remembered by family for his personality and love for his job.
“He had a million-dollar smile. When people see my cousin, they’d be like, that smile is gonna take him places and it took him to his dream job,” Simmons’ cousin Tracy Peaks told WBNS.
“He was truly an amazing man, and to do the job as an air refueler is a special person. You have to be kinda smart to do that. He was loving. He loved his dog Grayson, he loved his family, his friends, Shayna, you know, he’s just that guy. He would do anything for you,” she added.
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Tributes from local leaders, including Ohio’s Gov. Mike DeWine, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) poured in for Simmons after he was identified by relatives.
“I have been advised by Ohio’s Adjutant General that three of the six servicemembers killed during the air refueling mission in Iraq were Ohioans deployed with the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing,” DeWine wrote on X. “Fran and I are deeply saddened by this news and offer our sincere condolences to their families.”
A local restaurant owner honored the fallen Air National Guard member by renaming a menu item for Simmons, after the TCU graduate would eat at the establishment once a week.
“Us at Latham’s Kitchen will truly miss your energy and smile we are changing our Grippo Sticky wings to ‘TYLER’S GRIPPO STICK.’ Thank (you) for your service you are a true HERO rest up king,” Sean Latham wrote on Facebook.
The identities of the remaining crewmembers were not revealed as the military was withholding their names for 24 hours after their next of kin were notified.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth lauded the fallen as heroes during a Pentagon news conference Friday.
“War is hell. War is chaos,” he said. “And as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen. American heroes, all of them.”
