BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Three of the six U.S. airmen killed in the crash of a KC-135 refueling aircraft in western Iraq had ties to Alabama through the Birmingham-based 117th Air Refueling Wing.
According to a statement released by U.S. Central Command, all six crew members aboard the aircraft were confirmed deceased after the KC-135 Stratotanker went down March 12 while flying over friendly airspace in western Iraq.
The aircraft was operating in support of U.S. military operations in the region during what officials described as Operation Epic Fury.
Officials said the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.
However, military officials stated the loss of the aircraft was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire.
Three of the service members assigned to the mission had ties to Alabama through the Birmingham-based 117th Air Refueling Wing, part of the Alabama Air National Guard.
In a statement posted to social media, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey confirmed the Alabama connection and offered condolences to the families of the airmen.
“Their loss is a tragedy for our nation,” Ivey said. “Three of the service members who lost their lives were stationed at the 117th in Birmingham. They were not only outstanding Airmen. They were our neighbors, our fellow Alabamians. May their service and that of their families never be forgotten.”
Officials identified one of the airmen as Maj. John “Alex” Klinner, 33, of Auburn. Klinner served as a pilot aboard the KC-135 and had recently deployed to the Middle East. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington, and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky, also served aboard the aircraft and were assigned to the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, which operates alongside the Alabama Air National Guard unit at the Birmingham Air National Guard base.
The identities of the service members were released after military officials completed next-of-kin notifications.
According to The Military Times:
“Klinner was the chief of Squadron Standardizations and Evaluations at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, the Air Force announced. He entered the Air Force in 2017 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Auburn University and would go on to deploy in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2026.
“Klinner’s awards include the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Aerial Achievement Medal, and Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
“Savino was the chief of Current Operations Pilot at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron. She earned her active duty commission in 2017 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at Central Washington University and deployed in 2020 and 2026.
“Savino’s awards include the Air Medal and the Air and Space Commendation Medal.
“Pruitt was an assistant flight chief of Operations and KC-135 instructor boom operator at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, the service announced. She joined the Air Force in May 2017 and completed Career Enlisted Aviator training the following February.
“Pruitt deployed in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2026, according to her service record. Her awards include the Air Medal with silver oak leaf cluster, the Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Air and Space Achievement Medal.”
The KC-135 Stratotanker is an aerial refueling aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force to extend the range and endurance of military aircraft by providing fuel while in flight.
Officials said the aircraft was operating in western Iraq when it went down March 12.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Leadership with the 117th Air Refueling Wing said the unit is grieving the loss of the airmen and supporting their families and fellow service members.
Additional details about the crash and the airmen are expected to be released as the investigation continues.
