Kentuckian among 6 US service members killed in refueling plane crash in Iraq

Tessa Duvall, Lexington Herald-Leader on Mar 14, 2026

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — A 34-year-old Kentuckian is among the six American service members who died in a plane crash in Iraq on Thursday.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt was assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing out of MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., according to a Saturday news release from the Department of Defense.

Pruitt is the second Kentuckian to die during Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing United States and Israeli war against Iran that began Feb. 28.

Pruitt and five others died March 12 when a KC-135, an aerial refueling tanker, crashed in western Iraq. The crash remains under investigation.

The other service members identified were:

— Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.

— Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.

— Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.

— Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio

— Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio

Klinner and Savino were also assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing.

According to a news release from MacDill Air Force Base, Pruitt, Klinner and Savino are members of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, which is stationed at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, in Birmingham, Ala., but functions administratively under the 6th Air Refueling Wing.

Koval, Angst and Simmons were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio, according to the Pentagon.

At least 13 American service members have died during the war with Iran.

Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Ky. ,died March 8 after he was injured in a March 1 attack at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to the Department of Defense. Pennington was assigned to 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, which is based in Fort Carson, Colo.

U.S. Air Force Col. Ed Szczepanik, 6th Air Refueling Wing commander, said the group’s “hearts are heavy” as they mourn the loss of Pruitt and the others.

“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,” Szczepanik said in a statement. “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.

“Our communities feel this loss deeply and Team MacDill will ensure their sacrifices and service to our nation are never forgotten. We will honor them each and every day as we continue to answer our nation’s call.”