Veteran of the Day — March 15, 2026

KC-135 Stratotanker Memorial

Western Iraq | March 12, 2026

Six American airmen gave their lives while flying a refueling mission over Iraq. Their aircraft, a KC-135 Stratotanker, crashed during an operational mission supporting U.S. forces in the region.

These airmen were part of the tanker community that quietly keeps the skies alive. Every fighter jet, bomber, and surveillance aircraft depends on the men and women who fly these missions.

On that March mission, the crew never returned home.

The Fallen

Major John A. “Alex” Klinner, USAF — Age 33
Pilot. Husband and father of three. Recently promoted and newly deployed.

Captain Ariana G. Savino, USAF — Age 31
Pilot remembered by fellow airmen for professionalism and dedication.

Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt, USAF — Age 34
Assistant flight chief with nearly 900 combat flight hours.

Captain Seth R. Koval, USAF — Age 38
KC-135 instructor pilot with more than 2,000 hours of flight experience.

Captain Curtis J. Angst, USAF — Age 30
Air National Guard officer and aerospace engineer.

Technical Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons, USAF — Age 28
Boom operator from the Ohio Air National Guard. (The Washington Post)

Their Mission

The KC-135 Stratotanker has served the United States Air Force since the early 1960s and remains the backbone of aerial refueling operations. These missions are often invisible to the public, but they are among the most critical tasks in modern warfare.

Without tanker crews, aircraft cannot remain in combat zones for extended periods. The tanker community extends the reach of American airpower across the globe.