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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