ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Department of War announced on March 14 the death of six Air Force Airmen who were killed in a KC-135 refueler crash on March 12 supporting Operation Epic Fury:
Three were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and three to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio.
“My prayers are with the family of Capt. Savino. We are grateful for her service, and we honor her memory,” Gov. Bob Ferguson wrote in an announcement to X.
Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala: A 2016 Auburn University mechanical engineering graduate, Klinner commissioned through Air Force ROTC in 2017 and served eight years. He was chief of squadron standardizations and evaluations at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Klinner was deployed in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2026. He leaves behind his wife, Libby, a 2½-year-old child and 7-month-old twins.
Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.: Commissioned in 2017 via Air Force ROTC at Central Washington University, she served as chief of current operations pilot at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, 6th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. She was deployed in 2020 and 2026. Her awards include the Air Medal and Air and Space Commendation Medal.
Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky.: Assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, she was assistant flight chief of operations and KC-135 instructor boom operator at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron. Pruitt’s decorations include the Air Medal and Air and Space Commendation Medal.
Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.: A Purdue University graduate, Koval served 19 years as an aircraft commander, including 10 years in the Indiana National Guard before joining the Ohio Air National Guard. He was assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio.
Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio: Assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio, Angst served in the Ohio Air National Guard.
Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio: Simmons entered basic training in December 2017 and served as a boom operator with the 166th Air Refueling Squadron, 121st Air Refueling Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. A graduate of Eastmoor Academy High School where he played football, he leaves his parents, Mylo and Cheryl Simmons.
The incident is under investigation, per Dept. of War and as of March 13, 2026, a total of 13 service members have been killed in Operation Epic Fury.
Author: Mario Lotmore
