Six U.S. service members were killed when their KC-135 Stratotanker refueling plane crashed in western Iraq on March 12, according to multiple reports. The crash involved another U.S. military aircraft but was not due to hostile or friendly fire, as reported by U.S. Central Command. Rescue efforts are ongoing for any remaining crew members who were aboard the aircraft during Operation Epic Fury.
Key Takeaways
Six U.S. service members were killed when their KC-135 Stratotanker refueling plane crashed in western Iraq on March 12, according to multiple reports. The crash involved another U.S. military aircraft but was not due to hostile or friendly fire.
- Six U.S. service members identified as victims of the plane crash in Iraq
- Crash occurred during Operation Epic Fury against Iran
- All six crew members confirmed dead after initial reports of four fatalities
- Islamic Resistance in Iraq claims responsibility for downing the aircraft
The identities of the service members have been released: Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ga.; Capt. Ariana G. Sabino, 31, of Covington, Wash.; Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky.; Capt. Seth R. Kobal, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio.
Klinner was a beloved father of three young children who had just moved into a new home with his family before being deployed to help the Iran war effort less than a week before the crash. His brother-in-law described him as 'a really good dad and really loved his family a lot.' Simmons, another victim, was known for his 'million-dollar smile' and was assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Ohio’s Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.
The crash occurred around 2pm local time on March 12 near Turaibil along the Iraqi-Jordanian border. The other aircraft involved, also a KC-135 refuelling plane, landed safely in Israel. According to news.sky.com, seven U.S. troops have been killed since the start of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft, stating it acted to defend its country's sovereignty and airspace. However, U.S. authorities have said that the crash 'was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.' The Pentagon has designated an officer outside of U.S. Central Command to complete an investigation on a strike on an Iranian school.
The KC-135 Stratotanker, built by Boeing in the 1950s and early 1960s, has been a backbone of the U.S. military's air refueling fleet. Despite upgrades over the years, concerns about the reliability and durability of the aging planes have been raised due to their age.
Earlier this month, three U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down in a friendly fire incident by Kuwaiti air defenses. All crew members in those jets ejected safely. The death toll in Iran is reported to be more than 1,300, per the country’s UN ambassador.
Around 2,500 U.S. Marines are heading for the Middle East along with a Navy amphibious warship, signaling a marked increase in U.S. forces in the region as reported by PBS News Hour. The deployment comes amid ongoing military operations and escalating tensions.
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