All six heroes killed this week in Operation Epic Fury have been named, with a young dad and ‘superstar’ female pilot among them.
The Department of War named Captain Ariana G. Savino, Major John ‘Alex’ Klinner, Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt, Captain Seth R. Koval, Captain Curtis J. Angst and Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons as the victims of Thursday’s crash.
The US KC-135 plane went down in the western part of Iraq, which authorities said was ‘friendly airspace’, and the tragedy was not caused by ‘hostile fire.’
Washington resident Savino, 31, was assigned to the sixth Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. A loved one remembered her as an ‘Air Force superstar.’
‘She was one of those people who lit up every room she walked into,’ they said.
‘That smile of hers wasn’t just infectious, it was disarming. She brought energy, grit, and a ruthless commitment to making everyone around her better.’
Klinner, 33, had a wife, seven-month-old twins and a two-year-old son, his brother-in-law, James Harrill, said Saturday while confirming his death.
‘It’s kind of heartbreaking to say: He was just a really good dad and really loved his family a lot — like a lot,’ Harrill said.
A pilot from Alabama who had recently become a dad to adorable twins has been named as one of the six US servicemembers killed this week in Operation Epic Fury
Captain Ariana Savino, 31, was killed Thursday in the horrific accident over Iraq
Sergeant Ashley Pruitt, 34, was from Bardstown, Kentucky
Pruitt was a wife, mother to a three year old daughter and stepmother
Klinner had just been promoted to major in January and had been deployed for less than a week when the refueling aircraft he was aboard crashed in Iraq on Thursday.
The father-of-three was survived by his wife, Libby Klinner, who said her world ‘shattered’ when she got the news that her husband was among the victims.
‘I’m devastated to lose the best person I know, the person that made everything more fun, my best friend,’ Libby wrote on social media.
‘But even more so, my heart is broken for our three kids who will grow up not knowing him.’
Klinner had been deployed for less than a week when he died, and his young family had just moved into a new home. They had been living in Birmingham since 2022.
He was fondly remembered as an outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking and was always willing to help others.
‘Alex was one of those guys that had this steady command about him,’ Harrill said. ‘He was literally one of the kindest, giving people.’
Harrill helped set up a GoFundMe page for Klinner’s widow and children to aid with any additional expenses in the wake of his death.
They paid tribute to the fallen pilot as a ‘devoted husband, a loving father and the kind of person who would quietly step in to help anyone who needed it.’
Klinner’s wife Libby (right) mourned the loss of her husband on social media before deactivating her profiles
Klinner was an outdoorsman and grdauate of Auburn University
Loved ones said Savino was an ‘Air Force superstar’ who ‘lit up every room she walked into’
‘Libby and Alex built a beautiful life together and were raising three precious children: their energetic two-and-a-half-year-old and their seven-month-old twins,’ it read.
‘In an instant, Libby has been left to walk through profound grief while caring for their young family.
‘During this incredibly difficult season, we want to surround Libby and the children with the same generosity and love that Alex so freely gave to others.’
The fundraising page asked for $600,000 to support the family, and more than $500,000 of which has already been fulfilled.
Klinner graduated from Auburn University in 2016 with a degree in mechanical engineering, per AL.com.
His alma mater posted a tribute to him, mourning the tragic loss.
‘On Behalf of the Auburn Family, we extend our deepest condolences to Major Klinner’s family, fellow service member and all who knew and loved him,’ it said.
‘We honor his sacrifice and remain grateful for his service to our nation.’
Pictured: A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling a Navy Super Hornet during Operation Epic Fury earlier on Thursday
The KC-135 refueling plane went down on Thursday in ‘friendly airspace’ and a second aircraft involved in the incident landed safely. Picture shows the second aircraft with damage to its tail
Alabama Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell expressed her condolences to Klinner’s family on X.
‘I’m heartbroken to learn that Maj. Alex Klinner of Birmingham, Alabama, was among the six service members who lost their lives in the crash of a KC-135 refueling aircraft in Iraq,’ she wrote.
‘Please join me in praying for his family and honoring his selfless service to our nation.’
Representative Dale Strong also took to social media to compliment Klinner’s ‘bravery’ and express his condolences.
‘All of Alabama mourns the loss of Maj. Alex Klinner,’ he wrote.
‘Please join me in praying for his family and loved ones.’
‘His sacrifice is a somber testament to the profound bravery of those who volunteer to protect our freedom.’
Curtis Angst, 30, was from Wilmington, Ohio and was listed among the casualties
Captain Seth Koval, 38, was one of the victims of the refueling plan accident
Tyler Simmons, 28, was killed during the refueling flight
Pruitt, 34, was from Bardstown, Kentucky. According to a GoFundMe posted by loved ones, Pruitt loved her job and was a devoted wife, stepmother and mother to a three-year-old girl.
‘She worked hard for the family she always wanted and cherished them all,’ it read. ‘Ashley’s loss leaves an unimaginable hole for her family, friends and fellow Airmen.’
Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr expressed his condolences to Pruitt’s family on social media.
‘Praying for the family and friends of TSgt Ashley Pruitt of Bardstown,’ he wrote.
‘God bless her memory and her ultimate sacrifice in Operation Epic Freedom to rid the world of the largest state sponsor of terror. Her legacy will never be forgotten.’
Koval, 38, was from Mooresville, Indiana. His wife, Heather Nichole, posted a statement on Facebook after his death was announced.
‘Seth was a man whose life I could never confine to a single statement and whose loss will echo in my heart forever,’ she wrote.
‘Seth was exceptional in everything he did. He was truly the most amazing husband, father, son, brother, friend, and Airman. He loved what he did, and he was proud to put his uniform on and serve others.’
According to a GoFundMe posted in his honor, Koval was survived by his wife and son.
Angst, 30, was from Wilmington, Ohio, and attended the University of Cincinnati, per the Wilmington News Journal. He earned his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering.
Angst was the husband of Mary Angst, whom he married last year.
The Clinton County Republican Party issued a statement mourning the death of Angst.
‘God rest Curtis Angst,’ it read. ‘Please pray for them and the souls of the brave crew that were with him on their mission.’
Angst was married to Mary Angst (center). The pair wed last year
Koval (right) was survived by his wife Heather Nichole. She said he was an ‘amazing husband’ who was ‘exceptional in everything he did’
Tyler Simmons, 28, was identified as one of the servicemembers in the deadly crash aboard a US KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down over western Iraq
Ohio resident Tyler Simmons, 28, was named on Friday by family members as one of the airmen involved in the deadly crash.
Simmons was the first of the six victims to be named by loved ones. He was remembered for his ‘million-dollar smile.’
Simmons’ mother broke down in tears as she recalled the moment uniformed officers appeared at their home to deliver the heartbreaking news that her only child had passed away.
‘When he (another relative) opened the door, he said, ‘Oh no,’ and I jumped up and ran in there and they were lined up out on the porch,’ Cheryl Simmons told WBNS 10.
‘You got to be kidding me,’ she added, while covering her face as she began to sob.
Simmons, along with two other victims, was a part of the Columbus-based Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing.
The second plane involved in the crash sustained minor damage to its tail but landed safely. There were no fatalities reported on board.
