Air Force
Trump, Hegseth attend dignified transfer of 6 airmen killed in Iraq crash
Stars and Stripes
March 18, 2026
Clockwise from top left: Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky.; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Wash.; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala.; Air Force Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force, Ohio National Guard and courtesy photos)
The remains of six U.S. airmen who died after their Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq last week were received at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware Wednesday and returned to their families, according to the Associated Press.
The outlet reported that President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended the solemn ceremony, known as the dignified transfer, and paid their respects to the airmen who were killed while supporting Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. campaign against Iran that began Feb. 28.
Three of the airmen were part of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron: 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. The squadron is stationed in Birmingham, Ala., but functions administratively under the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force base in Florida.
Also killed were 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, who were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio.
The refueling aircraft went down in friendly airspace on March 12. The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, though U.S. Central Command said it was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. Another plane involved landed safely.
Trump and Hegseth last traveled to Dover AFB on March 7 for the dignified transfer of six service members killed by a drone strike in Kuwait.
Thirteen service members have been killed during Operation Epic Fury, which is now in its third week.