KC-135 strato-tanker lost over Iraq

Three Air Force service members based in Birmingham were killed in a KC-135 tanker crash in western Iraq on March 12, marking one of Alabama’s deadliest single-day losses in the Iran conflict. The victims were part of the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base and had deep ties to the Birmingham area.

🇺🇸 Alabama Mourns Three Airmen Killed in Iraq Tanker Crash

KC-135 Stratotanker went down during combat mission; all six crew members confirmed dead

Three U.S. Air Force service members with ties to Birmingham, Alabama, were among the six airmen killed when a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq on March 12 during a combat mission supporting Operation Epic Fury. The Pentagon confirmed the deaths on March 15, identifying the fallen as:

- Maj. John “Alex” Klinner, 33, of Birmingham, Alabama

- Capt. Ariana Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington

- Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky

All three were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, but had recently deployed from Birmingham as part of a forward operations team supporting aerial refueling missions in the Middle East.

🕊️ Remembering Maj. Alex Klinner

Maj. Klinner, a graduate of Auburn University, had just been promoted and deployed less than a week before the crash. He leaves behind a wife and three young children, including 7-month-old twins and a 2-year-old son. His family described him as a devoted father, outdoorsman, and steady leader.

“Alex was one of those guys that had this steady command about him,” said his brother-in-law, James Harrill. “He was literally one of the most kind, giving people.”

Klinner had recently moved his family into a new home in Birmingham and was known for helping others, including shoveling snow for relatives during a January wedding trip.

✈️ What Happened in Iraq

The KC-135 Stratotanker was flying a combat mission over friendly airspace in western Iraq when it went down. U.S. Central Command confirmed that the crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, and that a second KC-135 involved in the same mission landed safely.

The crash occurred during a high-tempo phase of U.S. operations against Iran, where aerial refueling has become critical to sustaining long-range missions across Iraq, Syria, and the Persian Gulf.

“War is hell. War is chaos. And as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen. American heroes, all of them,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

🛫 The KC-135 Stratotanker

The KC-135 is one of the Air Force’s oldest and most vital aircraft, designed to refuel fighters, bombers, and surveillance planes midair. The aircraft has been in service since the Eisenhower administration and is gradually being replaced by the KC-46A Pegasus.

Most KC-135s fly with a crew of three: a pilot, co-pilot, and boom operator. In this case, the aircraft was carrying six personnel, including additional mission specialists.

🧭 Other Victims

Three additional crew members were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio:

- Capt. Seth Koval, 38, of Stoutsville, Ohio

- Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio

- Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio

All six were confirmed dead by U.S. Central Command and the Department of Defense.

🕯️ Alabama’s Loss

The deaths of Klinner, Savino, and Pruitt mark one of the most significant single-day losses for Alabama-based personnel in the current conflict. Birmingham’s military community has rallied around the families, with tributes pouring in from veterans’ groups, local officials, and fellow airmen.

Gov. Kay Ivey ordered flags flown at half-staff across the state and issued a statement honoring the fallen:

“These brave Alabamians gave their lives in service to our nation. We mourn their loss and honor their sacrifice.”

📍 What Comes Next

The Air Force has launched a full investigation into the crash. The remains of the fallen are expected to be returned to Dover Air Force Base for dignified transfer ceremonies later this week.

Funeral arrangements for Maj. Klinner are being coordinated by his family in Birmingham, with public memorials expected to follow.