Sgt. Tyler Simmons and Maj. Alex Klinner. (AP)
An Alabama pilot and several Ohio airmen were among the six U.S. service members killed when a refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq this week during operations tied to the war with Iran, The Associated Press reported.
The aircraft, a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, went down Thursday while flying over “friendly airspace,” according to U.S. Central Command.
Among the victims was Alex Klinner, 33, an eight-year Air Force veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, who had just been promoted to major earlier this year.
Klinner leaves behind three young children, 7-month-old twins and a 2-year-old son.
“He was just a really good dad and really loved his family a lot,” his brother-in-law said.
Another victim identified by family members was Sgt. Tyler Simmons of Columbus, Ohio, whose loved ones said his “smile could light up any room.”
Officials said three of the six fallen airmen were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing, part of the Ohio Air National Guard.
The aircraft was supporting operations connected to Operation Epic Fury when an unspecified incident involving another aircraft occurred, though military officials said the other plane landed safely.
CENTCOM said the crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, and the incident remains under investigation.
The KC-135 Stratotanker is a core workhorse of the U.S. military, used to refuel aircraft midair so they can fly longer combat missions without landing.
The Associated Press and Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz contributed to this reporting.
Posted by Jasmine Baehr
