6 U.S. crew members killed in refueling plane crash in Iraq are identified

The six U.S. crew members who died when their military refueling plane crashed in Iraq while taking part in Iran war operations this week were publicly identified Saturday

The six U.S. crew members who died when their military refueling plane crashed in Iraq while taking part in Iran war operations this week were publicly identified Saturday.

The Defense Department identified the U.S. Air Force airmen as Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio.

Klinner, Savino and Pruitt were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida but served day-to-day at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama, where their squadron is based, the Air Force said.

Koval, Angst and Simmons were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus.

U.S. Central Command said in a post on X early Friday that their KC-135 plane went down at approximately 2 p.m. ET Thursday.