Pentagon Releases Names of Six US Soldiers Killed in Iraq KC-135 Crash

The Pentagon has identified six American service members who died in the crash of a KC-135 refueling aircraft in western Iraq on Thursday. Officials stated the crash was not caused by hostile action.

The crew members were: John Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Ariana Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky; Seth Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana; Curtis Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio. Klinner, Savino, and Pruitt served in the US Air Force, while Koval, Angst, and Simmons were with the US Air National Guard.

A second aircraft involved in the mission landed safely. The crash remains under investigation, though US Central Command has stated it was not the result of hostile or friendly fire.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an alliance of Iran-backed Iraqi groups, claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft, adding that another plane involved in the mission escaped. The group has issued daily claims of attacks on US targets since the start of the Middle East conflict.

This crash marks at least the fourth US military aircraft lost in the conflict, following three F-15E fighter jets mistakenly downed by Kuwaiti forces early in the war. KC-135 refueling aircraft, operational for over six decades, typically carry a crew of three, but some missions include a navigator and can accommodate up to 37 passengers.