The bodies of six people killed in western Iraq while serving the United States Air Force were returned to the U.S. on Wednesday. President Donald Trump and U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) were in Delaware for what is known as a “dignified transfer.”
Maj. Alex Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, and Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, were part of the 99th Refueling Squadron of the 117th Air Refueling Wing in Birmingham.
Klinner, an Auburn graduate and Trussville resident, was remembered as a loving husband and father of three.
“Attending the dignified transfer of Maj. Alex Klinner today was humbling and heartbreaking,” said Britt. “In recent days, I’ve learned more about Maj. Klinner—the many lives he touched, the devoted family man he was, and his deep love of country.”
Pruitt, a wife and mother, was a Kentucky native. Savino was from Washington.
“Capt. Savino and TSgt. Pruitt were dedicated servicemembers whose lives were tragically cut short in devoted service to their nation,” Britt added. “They were part of our community and exemplified the very best of what it means to be an Alabamian.”
The three others killed in the KC-135 refueling aircraft crash were from the Air National Guard base in Ohio. They were Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio.
Another plane involved in the incident landed safely.
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