Beloved younger dad and provoking feminine ‘Air Force famous person’ amongst US heroes killed in Iran mission crash as all six are named
All six heroes killed this week in Operation Epic Fury have been named, with a young dad and ‘superstar’ female pilot among them.
The Department of War named Major John ‘Alex’ Klinner, Captain Ariana G. Savino, Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt, Captain Seth R. Koval, Captain Curtis J. Angst and Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons as the victims in Thursday’s crash.
Alex Klinner, 33, had seven-month-old twins and a two-year-old son, his brother-in-law, James Harrill, said Saturday while confirming his death.
‘It’s kind of heartbreaking to say: He was just a really good dad and really loved his family a lot — like a lot,’ Harrill said.
Klinner had just been promoted to major in January and had been deployed for less than a week when the refueling aircraft he was aboard crashed in Iraq on Thursday.
The father-of-three was survived by his wife, Libby Klinner, who said her world ‘shattered’ when she got the news that her husband was among the victims.
‘I’m devastated to lose the best person I know, the person that made everything more fun, my best friend,’ Libby wrote on social media.
‘But even more so, my heart is broken for our three kids who will grow up not knowing him.’
The US KC-135 plane went down in the west of the country, which authorities said was ‘friendly airspace’, and the tragedy was not caused by ‘hostile fire’.
A pilot from Alabama who had recently become a dad to adorable twins has been named as one of the six US servicemembers killed this week in Operation Epic Fury
Captain Ariana Savino, 31, was killed Thursday in the horrific accident over Iraq
Curtis Angst, 30, was from Wilmington, Ohio and was listed among the casualties
Sergeant Ashley Pruitt, 34, was from Bardstown, Kentucky
Alex Klinner, 33, had seven-month-old twins and a two-year-old son, his brother-in-law, James Harrill, said Saturday. Klinner is pictured above embracing his wife
Ohio resident Tyler Simmons, 28, was also named on Friday by family members as one of the other airmen involved in the deadly crash.
The Pentagon has named the other four victims as Captain Ariana Savino, 31, of Washington state, Tech Sergeant Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Kentucky, Captain Seth Koval, 38, of Indiana, and Captain Curtis Angst, 30, of Ohio.
Klinner had been deployed for less than a week when he died, and his young family had just moved into a new home. They had been living in Birmingham since 2022.
He was fondly remembered as an outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking and helping others.
‘Alex was one of those guys that had this steady command about him,’ Harrill said. ‘He was literally one of the kindest, giving people.’
Harrill helped set up a GoFundMe page for Klinner’s widow and children to aid with any additional expenses in the wake of his death.
They paid tribute to the fallen pilot as a ‘devoted husband, a loving father and the kind of person who would quietly step in to help anyone who needed it.’
Klinner’s wife Libby (right) mourned the loss of her husband on social media before deactivating her profiles
Klinner was an outdoorsman and grdauate of Auburn University
‘Libby and Alex built a beautiful life together and were raising three precious children: their energetic two-and-a-half-year-old and their seven-month-old twins,’ it read.
‘In an instant, Libby has been left to walk through profound grief while caring for their young family.
‘During this incredibly difficult season, we want to surround Libby and the children with the same generosity and love that Alex so freely gave to others.’
The fundraising page asked for $600,000 to support the family, and more than $500,000 of which has already been fulfilled.
Klinner graduated from Auburn University in 2016 with a degree in mechanical engineering, per AL.com.
His alma mater posted a tribute to him, mourning the tragic loss.
‘On Behalf of the Auburn Family, we extend our deepest condolences to Major Klinner’s family, fellow service member and all who knew and loved him,’ it said.
‘We honor his sacrifice and remain grateful for his service to our nation.’
Pictured: A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling a Navy Super Hornet during Operation Epic Fury earlier on Thursday
The KC-135 refueling plane went down on Thursday in ‘friendly airspace’ and a second aircraft involved in the incident landed safely. Picture shows the second aircraft with damage to its tail
Alabama Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell expressed her condolences to Klinner’s family on X.
‘I’m heartbroken to learn that Maj. Alex Klinner of Birmingham, Alabama, was among the six service members who lost their lives in the crash of a KC-135 refueling aircraft in Iraq,’ she wrote.
‘Please join me in praying for his family and honoring his selfless service to our nation.’
Representative Dale Strong also took to social media to compliment Klinner’s ‘bravery’ and express his condolences.
‘All of Alabama mourns the loss of Maj. Alex Klinner,’ he wrote.
‘Please join me in praying for his family and loved ones.’
‘His sacrifice is a somber testament to the profound bravery of those who volunteer to protect our freedom.’
Tyler Simmons, 28, was identified as one of the servicemembers in the deadly crash aboard a US KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down over western Iraq
Sgt Tyer Simmons was the first of the six victims to be named by loved ones. He was remembered for his ‘million-dollar smile.’
Simmons’ mother broke down in tears as she recalled the moment uniformed officers appeared at their home to deliver the heartbreaking news that her only child had passed away.
‘When he (another relative) opened the door, he said, “Oh no,” and I jumped up and ran in there and they were lined up out on the porch,’ Cheryl Simmons told WBNS 10.
‘You got to be kidding me,’ she added, while covering her face as she began to sob.
Simmons, along with two other victims, was a part of the Columbus-based Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing.
The second plane involved in the crash sustained minor damage to its tail but landed safely. There were no fatalities reported on board.
