The identities of the 6 service members who were killed after a refueling plane crash in Iraq have been released.
As reported by CBS News, the names were previously being withheld until 24 hours after their families were notified. But now, they've been released. The service members who tragically died were members of the Ohio Air National Guard, and others were Florida-based.
The Department of Defense identified them as: Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Moorsville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio; Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky.
Koval, Angst, and Simmons were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, in Columbus, Ohio. While Klinner, Savino, and Pruitt were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
The six service members died on March 12 after two KC-135 aircraft collided into each other in Western Iraq, near the border with Jordan.
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Their Families Have Released Statements Mourning Their Losses
Families of the dead service members have released statements mourning their fallen family members.
Mylo Simmons, the father of Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, told the outlet that his son was always the life of the party. "Even in school, teachers always commented on how well-behaved he was. He loved being in the military. He loved serving," he said.
Cheryl Simmons, the Tech. Sgt.'s mother, also said that she knew he would be deployed because his job was so important. "We cannot fight a war without having tankers, without gas you can't have a war... In the pit of your stomach, you're saying... We have a 50-50 chance of our son coming home."
Mylo has said that their family is grieving, and they've been taking things "day by day". "It's so surreal, unbelievable. The worst news a parent wants to get."
This is an absolutely tragic incident. May the brave service members who lost their lives for their country rest in peace.
