United States authorities have identified the six people killed in the crash of a refueling plane in western Iraq on the 12th.
The US Central Command, responsible for the Middle East, stated that the crash of the KC-135 aircraft occurred during a combat mission, but over “friendly” territory. Military officials said the incident was being investigated and was “not caused by hostile or friendly fire.”
Three identified victims were Alex Klinner, 33, a pilot from Alabama; Captain Ariana Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; and Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky.
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According to the US government, they were members of the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, in Florida, and, according to the governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey, they were stationed in Birmingham.
Three other service members who died aboard the aircraft were from the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. They were identified by federal and state authorities as 38-year-old Captain Seth Koval, 30-year-old Captain Curtis Angst and 28-year-old Technical Sergeant Tyler Simmons.
According to US Central Command, the aircraft was in “friendly” airspace, supporting operations against Iran, when an unspecified incident involving another aircraft occurred. The other plane landed safely, U.S. military officials said.
The KC-135 aircraft refuels other planes mid-flight, allowing them to fly longer distances and maintain operations without needing to land. According to experts, the aircraft can also be used to transport injured military personnel and carry out surveillance missions.
