Home / War and Conflict / Alabama Pilot, 5 Others Die in Iraq Crash
Alabama Pilot, 5 Others Die in Iraq Crash
15 Mar
Summary
- A newly promoted Alabama pilot and five others perished in an Iraq crash.
- The incident occurred aboard a refueling aircraft supporting anti-Iran operations.
- Three of the deceased were airmen from Ohio's 121st Air Refueling Wing.
A military aircraft crash in Iraq has claimed the lives of six service members, including Major Alex Klinner, 33, from Alabama. Klinner, a U.S. Air Force veteran, had been promoted to major in January and deployed to the region less than a week prior.
The KC-135 Stratotanker was in friendly airspace, supporting operations against Iran, when an unspecified incident involving another aircraft occurred. The other aircraft landed safely, but Klinner's plane crashed. The Pentagon has not officially released the names of all six deceased.
Among the fallen were three airmen from the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing. Their unit expressed sorrow and acknowledged the valuable contributions of the lost airmen. Sgt. Tyler Simmons from Columbus, Ohio, was also identified as one of the six service members who died.
Klinner is survived by his wife and three young children. His brother-in-law described him as a kind, giving, and selfless individual. The family of Sgt. Tyler Simmons remembered his radiant smile and strong presence.
