This is the VIC 4 VETS, Weekly Honored Veterans.

SUBMITTED BY: Multiple News Sources

Pentagon identifies 6 soldiers killed

The U.S. Department of Defense identified six airmen who were killed when a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft crashed over western Iraq on March 12, 2026 during operations supporting the war with Iran. The crash happened after an incident involving another tanker aircraft; the cause is still under investigation. (AP News)

✔ Mission:
They were flying a KC-135 aerial refueling mission when an incident involving another tanker led to a crash in friendly airspace over western Iraq. (The Washington Post)

Military Career Backgrounds

Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33

• Home: Auburn, Alabama
• Role: KC-135 pilot
• Unit: 99th Air Refueling Squadron, part of the 6th Air Refueling Wing
• Career details:
• Recently promoted to Major in January 2026.
• Four deployments since 2019.
• Flew tanker missions supporting combat aircraft across multiple operations.
• Known among fellow airmen as a mentor and leader.
• Family: Married with three young children. (AP News)

Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31

• Home: Covington, Washington
• Role: KC-135 pilot
• Unit: 99th Air Refueling Squadron, 6th Air Refueling Wing
• Career details:
• Tanker pilot responsible for mid-air refueling of combat aircraft.
• Served with the squadron operating out of Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama.
• Flew operational refueling missions in support of U.S. operations in the Middle East. (WRAL News)

Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34

• Home: Bardstown, Kentucky
• Role: Boom operator / enlisted aircrew
• Unit: 99th Air Refueling Squadron, 6th Air Refueling Wing
• Career details:
• Assistant flight chief in her squadron.
• Logged nearly 900 combat flight hours.
• Responsible for controlling the refueling boom that transfers fuel to receiving aircraft.
• Family: Mother of two. (AP News)

Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38

• Home: Mooresville, Indiana
• Role: KC-135 instructor pilot
• Unit: 121st Air Refueling Wing (Ohio Air National Guard)
• Career details:
• Instructor pilot with more than 2,000 flight hours.
• Trained new tanker pilots in aerial refueling procedures and mission operations.
• Deployed multiple times supporting overseas operations. (AP News)

Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30

• Home: Wilmington, Ohio
• Role: KC-135 pilot
• Unit: 121st Air Refueling Wing, Ohio Air National Guard
• Career details:
• Also an aerospace engineer in addition to his pilot duties.
• Logged about 880 flight hours in the KC-135.
• Flew operational refueling missions supporting U.S. combat aircraft. (AP News)

Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28

• Home: Columbus, Ohio
• Role: Boom operator / enlisted aircrew
• Unit: 121st Air Refueling Wing (Ohio Air National Guard)
• Career details:
• Responsible for operating the refueling boom and managing fuel transfer to other aircraft during flight.
• Part of the tanker crew responsible for complex mid-air refueling operations. (KVIA)

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