Proposed bill to honor Covington’s Savino; crew killed in Iraq
Published 5:55 pm Thursday, September 24, 2026
U.S. Air Force Capt. Ariana Savino, of Covington, and the five other crew members who died in a plane crash March 12 during the war against Iran, should be honored with a monument in or near Arlington National Cemetery, according to a Washington congresswoman and its two U.S. senators.
U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Sammamish and U.S. Democratic Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell introduced the Zeus 95 Memorial Act on Sept. 24 in Washington, D.C., according to a press release from Schrier.
Savino, 31, a 2013 graduate of Kentwood High School, where she was a member of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, was part of the Zeus 95 crew killed in a refueling aircraft crash in Iraq while supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
The bill also honors fallen crew members Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky; 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.
“I remain heartbroken that the crew of Zeus 95, including Capt. Savino of Covington, died last spring in flight operations over Iraq,” said Schrier, whose District 8 includes Covington. “I will continue my efforts to honor their bravery and sacrifice, and am profoundly grateful that these crew members chose a life of service to our nation. Capt. Savino’s passion, leadership, and bravery will be forever remembered by the people of Washington state and all Americans. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of Capt. Savino and the entire Zeus 95 crew. I send my deepest condolences to them, and pray for the safety and health of all of our service members.”
Savino was a graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. She earned her active-duty commission in 2017 and was promoted to captain in 2021. She served at bases in Georgia and Mississippi, logging over 300 combat flight hours.
“Captain Ariana G. Savino represents the absolute best of Washington state and our country,” Murray said. “I will forever be grateful for her bravery and sacrifice. Capt. Savino and the other five courageous Air Force Airmen put their lives on the line to keep our country safe—they should be honored. My thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones in this tragic incident—Congress should pass this bill immediately to establish this memorial.
“We have a commitment to honor our service members not only with words but by supporting the families they leave behind—making sure the federal government is there for our military families will continue to be a top priority for me. To the families, friends, and fellow airmen who loved the Zeus 95 crew, you have my most sincere condolences.”
Savino sought to inspire others, particularly women and young people pursuing aviation careers, and is remembered as a passionate captain, advocate and community member.
“Captain Savino and the five heroes of Zeus 95 gave everything in service to our country,” Cantwell said. “A memorial at Arlington National Cemetery (in Virginia) will ensure their courage and sacrifice are never forgotten.”
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio; U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio and U.S. Rep. Mike Carey, R-Ohio, also introduced the bill. Because the bill was just introduced, it does not yet have a number.
The bill is also cosponsored by Washington’s U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene, D-Medina; Marilyn Strickland, D-Tacoma; and Michael Baumgartner, R-Spokane.
Under federal law, monuments that do not contain or mark interred remains generally may not be placed on Arlington National Cemetery grounds unless they meet certain statutory requirements, according to a press release from Murray. Among other criteria, the monument must commemorate the service of an individual or group of Armed Forces members or a particular military event, and it may not be placed until 25 years after the event being commemorated.
A Zeus 95 monument would not currently meet the 25-year requirement, so the lawmakers are pushing to honor the families’ wishes by seeking to waive the 25-year waiting period and allow for a monument, according to Murray.