Air Force Capt. from Covington, Washington killed in Iran war
Mar 14, 2026, 12:20 PM | Updated: 9:09 pm
Captain Ariana Savino of Covington, Washington was among six airmen killed this week in Iran war. (Courtesy of MacDill Air Force Base)
(Courtesy of MacDill Air Force Base)
The first U.S. service member from Washington state has died in the war with Iran.
On Saturday evening, the Department of War announced the deaths of six Air Force airmen supporting Operation Epic Fury.
Among them was Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington.
She and five others died March 12 in the crash of a KC-135 in western Iraq, the Pentagon said. The incident is under investigation.
The other airmen killed were Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala., and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky. They, along with Savino, were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Alex, Ariana and Ashley. To lose a member of the Air Force family is excruciatingly painful, especially to those who know them as son, daughter, brother, sister, spouse, mom, or dad. To lose them at the same time is unimaginable. Our hearts and minds are with the family, friends and loved ones of our fallen Airmen,” said Col. Ed Szczepanik, 6th Air Refueling Wing Commander. “Our communities feel this loss deeply and Team MacDill will ensure their sacrifices and service to our nation are never forgotten. We will honor them each and every day as we continue to answer our nation’s call.”
“I am heartbroken to learn about the passing of Capt. Ariana G. Savino from Washington state,” said Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington. “I am deeply grateful for her courage and sacrifice in service to our country. Our servicemembers put their lives on the line to keep our country safe—remarkable women like Capt. Savino represent the absolute best of our state and country.”
Savino earned her Air Force commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Central Washington University, where she graduated in 2017 with a degree in aviation management.
“Captain Ariana G. Savino was the Chief of Current Operations Pilot at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Birmingham, Alabama,” according to her Air Force biography. “She was responsible for the unit’s $21 million flying hour program, coordinating headquarters’ taskings, managing daily flight scheduling, aircrew training missions, and resource allocation to ensure mission execution.”
Savino deployed in 2020 and 2026 in support of U.S. Central Command Operations SPARTAN SHIELD, SENTINEL SENTRY and EPIC FURY, according to the Air Force. She flew 348 combat hours in both the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System as a combat systems operator and the KC-135 Stratotanker as a pilot.
During her military career, Savino earned an Air Medal and an Air and Space Commendation Medal.
Also killed were Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind.; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio. They were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.
Aircraft in ‘friendly’ airspace at the time of the crash
The aircraft was in “friendly” airspace, supporting operations against Iran, when an unspecified incident involving another aircraft occurred, according to U.S. Central Command. The other plane landed safety, U.S. military officials said.
The Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing said in a Facebook post late Friday that three of the dead were airmen who served in the Columbus-based unit.
“We share in the sorrow of their loved ones, and we must not forget the valuable contributions these Airmen made to their country and the impact they have left on our organization,” according to the 121st Air Refueling Wing’s post.
A new father and a new major
Alex Klinner, a pilot from Birmingham, Alabama, had just been promoted to major in January and had been deployed less than a week when the fatal crash occurred, his brother-in-law, James Harrill, said Saturday while confirming his death.
Klinner was the father of twin seven-month-old children and also had a 2-year-old son, said Harrill, of Atlanta, who helped set up a GoFundMe site for Klinner’s family.
“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.
An outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking, Klinner was also ready to help others. When Harrill last saw him in January, Klinner had shoveled Harrill’s vehicle out of the snow during a family wedding.
“Alex was one of those guys that had this steady command about him,” Harrill said. “He was literally one of the most kindest, giving people.”
A man with a ready smile
Sgt. Tyler Simmons of Columbus, Ohio, also was among six service members who died Thursday in the crash of a KC-135 Stratotanker, his mother, Cheryl Simmons, confirmed on Saturday. Cheryl Simmons said she was making funeral plans for her son.
In a statement obtained by WCMH-TV in Columbus, Tyler Simmons’ family said it was saddened beyond measure to hear of the fatal crash.
“Tyler’s smile could light up any room, his strong presence would fill it. His parents, grandparents, family and friends are grief stricken for the loss of life,” they said.
The refueling aircraft is a mainstay in the US military
U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, has said the crash occurred on a combat mission but was over “friendly” territory in western Iraq. Military officials said it is being investigated and was “not due to hostile or friendly fire.”
The KC-135 aircraft refuels other planes in midair, allowing them to fly longer distances and sustain operations without landing. The plane can also be used to transport wounded personnel and conduct surveillance missions, according to military experts.
The Congressional Research Service says the Air Force last year had 376 KC-135s, including 151 on active duty, 163 in the Air National Guard and 62 in the Air Force Reserve. It has been in service for more than 60 years.
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Lieb reported from Jefferson City, Missouri; Scolforo reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Walker from New York.
