The Air Force personnel who tragically lost their lives were from various parts of the United States, with their assignments spanning military installations in Ohio and Florida, according to information from department officials.
WASHINGTON — In a recent announcement, the United States Department of Defense released the names of the six Air Force personnel who perished when a refueling plane went down in Iraq this past Thursday.
Among those who died were:
The department’s release on Saturday stated that Klinner, Savino, and Pruitt were part of the 6th Air Refueling Wing based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. Meanwhile, Koval, Angst, and Simmons served with the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.
Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama
Officials from the department indicated that the cause of the crash is still being investigated.
Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington
The Associated Press was able to confirm the deaths of Klinner and Simmons prior to the Pentagon’s official statement, as their families had already disclosed their identities.
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
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, the department said in a press release on Saturday. Koval, Angst, and Simmons were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.
Department officials said the crash is still under investigation.
The Associated Press published confirmation of Klinner and Simmons’ deaths before the Pentagon confirmation after their families shared their identities.
A new father and a new major
Klinner, a graduate of Auburn University and an eight-year U.S. Air Force veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, had just moved with his family into a new home, his wife, Libby Klinner, said in an Instagram post mourning his death.
An outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking, Klinner was also ready to help others. When Harrill last saw him in January, Klinner had shoveled Harrill’s vehicle out of the snow during a family wedding.
“Alex was one of those guys that had this steady command about him,” said Harrill, who helped set up a GoFundMe site for Klinner’s family. “He was literally one of the most kindest, giving people.”
Libby Klinner said in a post that her heart is broken for their children, who will grow up not knowing their father.
“They won’t get to see firsthand the way he would jump up to help in any way he could,” she wrote. “They won’t see how goofy and funny he was. They won’t witness his selflessness, the way he thought about everyone else before himself. They won’t get to feel the deep love he had for them.”
A man with a ready smile
Sgt. Tyler Simmons of Columbus, Ohio, also was among six service members who died Thursday in the crash of a KC-135 Stratotanker, his mother, Cheryl Simmons, confirmed on Saturday. Cheryl Simmons said she was making funeral plans for her son.
In a statement obtained by WCMH-TV in Columbus, Tyler Simmons’ family said it was saddened beyond measure to hear of the fatal crash.
“Tyler’s smile could light up any room, his strong presence would fill it. His parents, grandparents, family and friends are grief stricken for the loss of life,” they said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
