Pentagon Identifies Service Members Killed In Tanker Crash
The Department of War on Saturday released the identities of the six American service members killed in the Thursday crash of a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker in Iraq.
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged the aerial refueling tanker, crewed by six, went down over western Iraq in a statement released Friday. CENTCOM later stated the incident involved a second aircraft which landed safely, rather than hostile fire or friendly fire.
Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky. served as part of the 6th Air Refueling Wing out of MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, a War Department statement released Saturday night reads. Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio served as part of the 121st Air Refueling Wing of the Ohio National Guard.
“Heartbreaking to learn that Auburn alumnus and Birmingham resident Major Alex Klinner was among those killed in the KC-135 crash this week,” Republican Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville stated. . .
Heartbreaking to learn that Auburn alumnus and Birmingham resident Major Alex Klinner was among those killed in the KC-135 crash this week.
Our state deeply grieves the loss of a father, husband, and a true patriot. I hope every Alabamian will join me in prayer for the Klinner…
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) March 14, 2026
The six service members killed in the Feb. 28 attack in Kuwait were identified by the Department of War as Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Fla.; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Neb.; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minn.; Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa; Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa; and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, Calif. (Read more from “Pentagon Identifies Service Members Killed In Tanker Crash” HERE)
