Pentagon identifies six military members killed in KC-135 crash in Iraq

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KWCH) - The U.S. Department of Defense has identified the six U.S Air Force members who died in a KC-135 crash in western Iraq.

Officials said the service members were supporting Operation Epic Fury when the aircraft went down on March 12. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The airmen were identified as:

• Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama.
• Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington.
• Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky.

They were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force base in Florida.

Also killed were:

• 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.

Those service members were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.

The U.S. Central Command said the crash occurred on a combat mission but was over “friendly territory.”