Pentagon Releases Names and Units of Six U.S. Airmen Killed in KC‑135 Crash Over Western Iraq During Epic Fury Operations
The Pentagon identified the six U.S. airmen killed when a KC‑135 Stratotanker supporting strikes on Iran crashed in western Iraq near Turaibil: Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky.; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio — Klinner, Savino and Pruitt were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill AFB and Koval, Angst and Simmons to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker ANGB. CENTCOM says the crash, which followed an unspecified incident involving a second KC‑135 that landed safely and may have been a mid‑air collision, occurred over friendly territory, was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, remains under investigation, and raises U.S. war fatalities in the Iran conflict to at least 13.
📌 Key Facts
- A U.S. Air Force KC‑135 Stratotanker aerial refueling plane crashed in western Iraq near Turaibil (along the Iraq–Jordan border) while supporting Operation Epic Fury strikes against Iran; CENTCOM and U.S. officials say the incident occurred at about 2 p.m. ET on March 12.
- CENTCOM and U.S. officials say the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two KC‑135s; the second tanker was damaged but landed safely (flight‑tracking data showed an emergency landing in Tel Aviv), U.S. officials have said a mid‑air collision is possible, and a formal investigation is ongoing.
- CENTCOM and Pentagon officials have repeatedly stated the loss was not caused by hostile or friendly fire; rescue and recovery efforts were conducted, with initial reports of four dead later revised to confirm all six crew members were killed.
- The Pentagon identified the six service members killed as Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky.; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio. Unit assignments: Klinner, Savino and Pruitt were with the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill AFB (Florida); Koval, Angst and Simmons were with the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker ANGB (Ohio).
- The crash is the fourth publicly acknowledged U.S. aircraft loss tied to the Iran war and brings U.S. service‑member deaths in the conflict to at least 13 (six in this tanker crash and others killed by enemy fire); reporting also notes dozens to more than 100 U.S. personnel wounded in the wider campaign.
- Background context: the KC‑135 fleet is an aging tanker based on the Boeing 707 design, in service for more than 60 years (roughly 376 aircraft across active duty, Air National Guard and Reserve), prompting reliability concerns and highlighting delays in transitioning to newer KC‑46A tankers.
- There are conflicting claims about responsibility: an Iranian proxy group has claimed responsibility for the crash and Iranian media and officials have issued aggressive rhetoric, but U.S. leaders — including Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — maintain the crash was not the result of hostile action and have addressed the incident amid broader operational updates.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, the US Air Force was composed of 68% White personnel, 16% Black or African American, 5.4% Asian, and 5.6% identifying as more than one race or other categories.
Air Force Academy under Trump ends race consideration in admissions — Denver Gazette
A Quinnipiac University poll from 2026 found that 53% of American voters oppose US military action against Iran, with Democrats opposing at 89%, Republicans supporting at 85%, and independents opposing at 60%.
U.S. Military Action Against Iran: Over Half Of Voters Oppose It, 74... — Quinnipiac University Poll
In a 2026 poll, 37% of White respondents supported the war in Iran while 44% opposed it, compared to 7% of Black respondents supporting and 60% opposing.
What Americans think of the war in Iran — The Conversation
The ongoing conflict with Iran is projected to increase global food prices by raising energy and transport costs, exacerbating food insecurity worldwide.
Global | Implications of Iran conflict for food security — Dow Jones
📰 Source Timeline (23)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
March 15, 2026
11:00 AM
U.S. military names six killed in plane crash as Iran war enters third week
New information:
- Confirms again that an Iranian proxy group has claimed responsibility for the KC-135 crash, while the Pentagon maintains the incident was caused by neither hostile nor friendly fire and is under investigation.
- Updates aggregate U.S. war casualties: 13 U.S. service members killed so far in the Iran war, seven by enemy fire, and eight severely injured, according to the Pentagon.
- Reports new Israeli Defense Forces statements that Israel has begun a new 'wave of extensive strikes' on infrastructure of the 'Iranian terror regime' in western Iran and struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including claimed destruction of the Radwan Force headquarters in Beirut.
- Notes Saudi Arabia’s claim that it shot down 26 Iranian drones over its territory and that the United Arab Emirates reported a missile attack, with sirens sounding in Bahrain and Tel Aviv.
- Adds new rhetoric from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps via Mehr News, vowing to 'pursue' and then 'kill' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Includes President Trump’s NBC News comment that he is unsure whether Mojtaba Khamenei is still alive, saying 'so far no-one's been able to show him,' and reiterates Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s statement that Mojtaba was wounded.
- Reports Trump’s claim that unnamed U.S. allies have responded positively to his call to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, even though none have publicly committed.
7:31 AM
The Latest: Gulf countries report new attacks, a day after Iran warns 3 major UAE ports to evacuate
New information:
- The article reiterates that the six airmen killed in the KC‑135 crash were supporting operations against Iran, tying the previously reported crash more explicitly to the current phase of the Iran war in a general‑audience wire update.
- It repeats the names and ages of the six service members and notes that the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in 'friendly airspace,' with the other KC‑135 landing safely.
2:07 AM
Pentagon Names 6 Military Members Killed in Iraq Tanker Crash
New information:
- Full names, ages and hometowns of all six service members killed: Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky.; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio.
- Confirmation that three of the dead (Klinner, Savino, Pruitt) were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, and the other three (Koval, Angst, Simmons) to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio.
- Restatement that the KC‑135 crash followed “an incident involving another plane” that landed safely and that CENTCOM says the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire.
- Updated context that these six deaths bring the total number of American service members killed in the war with Iran to at least 13 as it enters its third week.
1:52 AM
U.S. identifies 6 service members killed in refueling aircraft crash in Iraq
New information:
- Pentagon publicly identified all six service members killed as Capt. Seth R. Koval (38, Mooresville, Indiana), Capt. Curtis J. Angst (30, Wilmington, Ohio), Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons (28, Columbus, Ohio), Maj. John A. Klinner (33, Auburn, Alabama), Capt. Ariana G. Savino (31, Covington, Washington), and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt (34, Bardstown, Kentucky).
- Confirmed unit assignments: Koval, Angst and Simmons were with the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio; Klinner, Savino and Pruitt were with the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
- CBS specifies the aircraft was a KC‑135 aerial refueling plane that crashed near Turaibil along the Iraqi‑Jordanian border while taking part in operations against Iran.
- Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, states the crew was on a combat mission but flying over friendly territory when the crash occurred.
- The story includes on‑the‑record family reaction from Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons’ mother describing the notification visit by uniformed officers.
March 14, 2026
9:30 AM
U.S. military bombs Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub, Trump says
New information:
- NPR’s account reaffirms that the lost aircraft was a KC‑135 refueling tanker operating over western Iraq and notes CENTCOM’s latest statement that the loss was not due to hostile or friendly fire, but keeps circumstances under investigation.
- The article folds this loss into a broader updated tally: 13 U.S. service members killed during the Iran war, seven by enemy fire and six in the KC‑135 crash, plus eight severely wounded.
- It situates the crash temporally as having occurred Wednesday and being publicly confirmed by CENTCOM on Friday.
7:42 AM
Iran War Live Updates: U.S. Says It Bombed Key Iranian Island With Oil Hub
New information:
- NYT live blog notes that the KC‑135 crash in Iraq killed all six crew members and raises the total number of U.S. service members killed in the Iran war to at least 13.
- It reiterates that CENTCOM says the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire and remains under investigation.
March 13, 2026
10:55 PM
More Marines heading to Middle East as U.S. continues relentless strikes on Iran
New information:
- PBS quotes a CENTCOM statement confirming six Americans were killed when their aircraft was lost in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury.
- The segment does not specify the aircraft type or cause, underscoring that the circumstances remain under investigation.
- Hegseth uses the same appearance to claim Iran’s regime is 'crumbling' and to promise continued offensive operations.
9:30 PM
Friday’s Mini-Report, 3.13.26
New information:
- CENTCOM announced that all six crew members on the KC‑135 refueling tanker that crashed in western Iraq are dead, revising the count from four.
- CENTCOM reiterated the crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire and remains under investigation.
3:14 PM
WATCH: Hesgeth says more than 15,000 enemy targets have been hit in Iran conflict
New information:
- Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the KC‑135 incident occurred 'over friendly territory in western Iraq' and confirmed it was not the result of hostile or friendly fire.
- Caine specified that four airmen had been recovered from the crash at the time of the briefing.
- Hegseth publicly framed the deaths as evidence that 'war is chaos' and said their sacrifice would 'recommit' the U.S. to the mission against Iran.
1:56 PM
4 U.S. service members killed in Iraq during refueling aircraft incident, CENTCOM confirms
New information:
- CENTCOM is explicitly cited in the broadcast as confirming the deaths of at least four U.S. service members in the refueling incident.
- CBS frames the event simply as occurring "during a refueling effort" without adding or altering previously reported details about a likely mid‑air collision.
1:43 PM
At least 4 crew members killed in U.S. refueling aircraft crash in Iraq
New information:
- CBS specifies the crashed aircraft was a refueling plane supporting U.S. strikes on Iran at the time of the incident.
- Confirms again that at least four of the six crew members were killed, consistent with prior reporting.
1:37 PM
4 dead after U.S. military refueling plane crashed in Iraq. Here's what to know
New information:
- Article confirms the crashed aircraft was a KC‑135 refueling tanker supporting operations against Iran and is the fourth publicly acknowledged U.S. aircraft loss of the war.
- CENTCOM specifies that the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in ‘friendly airspace,’ and a U.S. official says the second aircraft was also a KC‑135 that landed safely.
- Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter writes on X that the other KC‑135 landed safely in Israel.
- Detailed background on the KC‑135 fleet: about 376 in service (151 active duty, 163 Air National Guard, 62 Air Force Reserve), ages dating to the 1960s, and discussion of delayed transition to the KC‑46A Pegasus.
- Experts note that aging KC‑135s raise reliability concerns and that tankers will play an increasingly important role if the Iran war drags on and missions push deeper into Iranian territory.
12:25 PM
Watch Live: Hegseth, Caine give Iran war update at Pentagon
New information:
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Iran’s missile volume is down 90% and claims all of Iran’s defense companies will be destroyed and are 'functionally defeated.'
- Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine says the KC‑135 crash occurred over 'friendly territory' during a combat mission, confirms it was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, and says the rescue operation for the remaining two crew members continues.
- CENTCOM now says about 6,000 targets have been struck inside Iran since the war began on Feb. 28.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a temporary loosening of sanctions to allow sale of Russian oil that is already at sea, framed as a response to wartime oil price spikes.
- Iranian state media carried a statement attributed to new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly, vowing to keep leveraging control of the Strait of Hormuz and to continue strikes on Gulf Arab targets.
12:24 PM
Four US service members dead after aircraft goes down in Iraq and more top headlines
New information:
- Fox positions the crash as its lead U.S. story and reiterates that four U.S. service members died after a KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in Iraq.
- No new technical, investigative, or casualty details are added beyond what is already in the existing story; it is a brief headline-level recap in a newsletter format.
12:15 PM
4 U.S. service members killed during refueling in Iraq as Iran war enters Day 14
New information:
- CBS explicitly pegs the incident to "Day 14" of the Iran war, underscoring the timeline of the conflict when the KC‑135 collision occurred.
- The segment reaffirms that the four fatalities are now confirmed U.S. service members involved in an apparent collision during refueling operations involving a KC‑135.
10:53 AM
4 more U.S. deaths, vague threat from Trump as Iran war nears 2 week mark
New information:
- CENTCOM has now formally confirmed that four of the six crew members aboard the crashed KC‑135 were killed, with recovery efforts ongoing for the remaining two.
- CBS cites U.S. officials who say a second KC‑135 Stratotanker involved in the incident was damaged but managed an emergency landing in Tel Aviv, consistent with FlightRadar24 data showing a KC‑135 declaring an emergency before landing.
- U.S. officials tell CBS they believe the incident may have involved a mid‑air collision between the two tankers, though the circumstances remain under investigation and CENTCOM stresses the loss was not due to hostile or friendly fire.
10:48 AM
4 US service members killed in refueling aircraft crash in Iraq
New information:
- CENTCOM and U.S. officials now confirm that four of the six crew members aboard the KC‑135 have been killed.
- Rescue efforts are still underway for the remaining crew members.
- The article reiterates that CENTCOM has assessed the loss was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, with the circumstances still under investigation.
10:21 AM
4 confirmed dead after U.S. military aircraft goes down in Iraq
New information:
- CENTCOM reiterates that the KC‑135 loss was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, and rescue efforts for the remaining two crew members are still ongoing with no public update on their condition.
- NPR reports that the crash raises total U.S. fatalities in the Iran war to 11 as of Thursday.
- The article cites casualty figures from Iranian, Lebanese and Israeli authorities: more than 1,300 killed in Iran, 687 in Lebanon and 12 in Israel.
- A senior regional official tells NPR Israeli leaders are preparing the public for a longer war that may end unilaterally without a negotiated agreement, risking a "war routine" of intermittent missile fire and retaliation.
- Netanyahu, in his first press conference since the start of the war, explicitly concedes he cannot say with certainty that Israeli actions will enable Iranians to topple their regime, stressing that regime change must come from inside Iran.
- President Trump posts on Truth Social that the U.S. is "totally destroying" Iran's military and economy and tells followers to "watch what happens" today, claims that go beyond what independent reporting can verify.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to hold a Pentagon press conference Friday morning as questions mount about next steps in the conflict.
10:07 AM
4 crew members killed in crash of U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft in Iraq
New information:
- CENTCOM statement specifies the time of the crash as approximately 2 p.m. ET on March 12 and reiterates the incident occurred in western Iraq.
- CBS reports at least four of six crew members are confirmed dead while rescue efforts continue for the remaining two.
- U.S. officials tell CBS they believe the incident may have involved a mid‑air collision, with a second KC‑135 Stratotanker damaged but able to land safely.
- FlightRadar24 data indicate a KC‑135 declared an emergency before landing in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening, likely tied to the second tanker.
- An Iraqi intelligence source locates the crash near Turaibil along the Iraq–Jordan border.
- The article updates the total U.S. service‑member death toll in the Iran war to 11, including six killed in an Iranian strike on Kuwait and one in Saudi Arabia.
- Article notes this is the fourth publicly acknowledged U.S. aircraft loss connected to Operation Epic Fury, alongside the earlier friendly‑fire downing of three F‑15Es by Kuwaiti defenses.
8:07 AM
Iran War Live Updates: Israel Targets Hezbollah in Beirut as Strikes Hit City Center
New information:
- The New York Times live blog reiterates that an American military refueling jet crashed in Iraq as part of the Iran war and that the U.S. military says the crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire.
- It notes that rescue efforts and an investigation are underway but does not significantly alter prior casualty or cause assessments.
2:06 AM
U.S. military refueling plane crashes in Iraq
New information:
- CENTCOM says the KC‑135 crash in western Iraq was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire and described the aircraft as 'a loss.'
- U.S. officials say at least five crew members were aboard the crashed KC‑135, and that a second KC‑135 involved in the incident landed safely.
- This is the fourth publicly acknowledged U.S. aircraft lost in the Iran war, following three F‑15E Strike Eagles mistakenly downed by Kuwaiti friendly fire last week.
- The article reiterates Pentagon figures that about 140 U.S. service members have been wounded and seven killed so far in the Iran war, with six killed in a drone strike in Kuwait and one at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
- The piece notes the KC‑135 fleet is based on the Boeing 707 design, has been in service for more than 60 years, and typically flies with a crew of three, raising questions about why at least five were on board.
12:09 AM
U.S. Air Force Refueling Plane Crashes in Iraq
New information:
- Confirms the crashed aircraft is a U.S. Air Force KC‑135 Stratotanker, not just a generic refueling plane.
- States that any fatalities from this crash would be the first Air Force losses of the current war with Iran.
- Reiterates that rescue operations are underway and that the U.S. military has not yet disclosed whether crew survived.
March 12, 2026