Overview
- U.S. Central Command said the March 12 crash in western Iraq occurred after an unspecified incident involving two aircraft, and the second aircraft landed safely.
- The Pentagon named the fallen as Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons.
- Three of the airmen were assigned to MacDill AFB’s 6th Air Refueling Wing and three to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker ANGB, reflecting losses felt across active-duty and Guard units.
- Separate reporting that Iranian missiles damaged multiple KC-135s at Prince Sultan Air Base was publicly disputed by President Donald Trump, and CENTCOM declined comment on the strike.
- The crash has renewed attention on the aging KC-135 fleet and the KC-46A Pegasus replacement effort, with MacDill investing $275 million to accommodate 24 incoming KC-46s.