Six U.S. service members who tragically lost their lives in a military refueling aircraft crash over western Iraq last week have now been identified. These heroic men were part of the Ohio Air National Guard and Florida-based crew, each assigned to specific wings dedicated to aerial refuelling operations.
The Department of Defense recently announced that Koval, Angst, Simmons, Klinner, Savino, and Pruitt died in this accident on March 12. Their tragic demise occurred during a combat mission over friendly territory when the KC-135 aircraft unexpectedly plummeted near Turaibil, along the Iraqi-Jordanian border.
Simmons’ mother, Cheryl Simmons, shared her heart-wrenching moment of receiving news with CBS affiliate WBNS in Columbus, Ohio: “When he opened the door he said, ‘Oh no,’ and I jumped up to run out there,” she recounted. “They were lined up on the porch, and they told me it was bad news.”
In recognition of their valor, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, highlighted that these individuals served as American heroes on a combat mission over friendly territory when tragedy struck.
The Department of Defense is currently investigating this incident to ensure a thorough understanding of the circumstances leading to the crash. These six service members remain steadfast in memory and honor for their courageous contributions to U.S. defense operations.
Contributions from Tucker Reals were instrumental in compiling this report.