The military of the United States has named six airmen who lost their lives when a refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq earlier this week, as tributes continue to flow in for the crew whose service encompassed various states and units within the US Air Force, reported Fox News.
The KC-135 crash, which took place on Thursday, is still under investigation.
KC-135 crash: Who were the victims?
The Pentagon announced on Saturday that the victims were:
Major Alex Klinner (33): 6th Air Refueling Wing (Florida).
Captain Ariana G. Savino (31): 6th Air Refueling Wing (Florida).
Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt (34): 6th Air Refueling Wing (Florida).
Captain Seth R. Koval (38): 121st Air Refueling Wing (Ohio).
Captain Curtis J. Angst (30): 121st Air Refueling Wing (Ohio).
Technical Sergeant Tyler Simmons (28): 121st Air Refueling Wing (Ohio).
This incident raises the total number of US military personnel who have lost their lives in relation to the ongoing conflict with Iran to 13.
According to US military, the airmen were on board a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft when it crashed in western Iraq. Officials indicated that the crash was “not a result of hostile fire or friendly fire.” Two aircraft were involved in the operation as part of Operation Epic Fury, the designation given by the Pentagon to the current military engagement with Iran, although the second aircraft managed to land safely.
