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Six U.S. Airmen Killed in Iraq Refueling Plane Crash
Six U.S. Air Force personnel, including three from the Ohio Air National Guard, were killed when a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, the Pentagon confirmed.
Capt Curtis J Angst, Capt Seth R Koval, and Tech Sgt Tyler H Simmons. Composite: Ohio National Guard
Six service members from the United States Air Force were killed after a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, according to an announcement made Saturday by the United States Department of Defense.
Among the victims were three personnel from the Ohio Air National Guard who served with the 121st Air Refueling Wing based in Columbus. Officials identified them as Seth Koval from Stoutsville, Curtis Angst of Columbus, and Tyler Simmons, also from Columbus.
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The airmen were participating in Operation Epic Fury, the Pentagon’s name for the ongoing conflict involving Iran, according to reports from CNN. Military officials stated the crash was not caused by enemy or friendly fire. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Following confirmation of the identities, Mike DeWine ordered flags across the state to be lowered in honor of the fallen airmen.
In a statement, DeWine said he and his wife joined Americans in grieving the loss of the three members of the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing. He noted that the airmen were specially trained to conduct midair refueling operations, an essential role that supports long-range military missions and requires a willingness to accept significant risks in service to the nation.
According to officials, Koval served as the aircraft commander and joined the Ohio Air National Guard in 2006. Angst worked as a KC-135 pilot and became part of the unit in 2015. Simmons served as a boom operator and enlisted in 2017.
Three additional airmen also died in the crash. They were identified as John A. Klinner of Auburn, Ariana G. Savino of Covington, and Ashley B. Pruitt of Bardstown.
These three were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing stationed at MacDill Air Force Base and served with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron headquartered in Birmingham.
Pentagon officials said the fatalities raise the number of U.S. military personnel killed in connection with the conflict involving Iran to 13.
The U.S. Air Force also confirmed that two aircraft were involved in the incident over western Iraq, though the second aircraft landed safely. Authorities have not disclosed what mission the aircraft were carrying out at the time.
DeWine also expressed condolences to the families of the other service members who died in the crash, stating that their sacrifice would always be remembered.
Editor’s Note:
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by U.S. service members during military operations, even in non-combat roles. The loss of these highly trained airmen underscores the sacrifices made daily to support national defense and international missions. Our thoughts remain with the families, colleagues, and communities affected by this devastating event.
