Columbus honors Air National Guard airman Tyler Simmons after six die in western Iraq KC-135 crash
A Columbus airman among six killed during refueling mission
Columbus-area service members and local residents are mourning and honoring Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, after a U.S. military aerial-refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on March 12, 2026, killing all six crew members aboard. Simmons was assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base and served as a boom operator, a role responsible for transferring fuel from a tanker to receiving aircraft during flight.
The crash occurred during a combat mission in support of U.S. operations connected to the conflict with Iran. U.S. Central Command said the incident took place over “friendly” territory in western Iraq and involved two aircraft; one aircraft landed safely while the other was lost. Military officials said the crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire and remains under investigation.
Rickenbacker-based wing tied to multiple crew members
State and federal officials identified three of the six crew members as connected to the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus. In addition to Simmons, those identified from Ohio units included Capt. Seth Koval, 38, and Capt. Curtis Angst, 30. The remaining crew members were identified as Maj. Alex Klinner, 32; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31; and Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34.
The aircraft involved was a KC-135 Stratotanker, a refueling platform that enables aircraft to extend range and sustain operations without landing. The KC-135 has been in U.S. service for decades and is operated across active-duty, Guard and Reserve components.
Service record and training milestones
Simmons entered military service in 2017 and later advanced into aerial refueling duties. His service record includes a progression to refueling specialist in 2022 and promotion to technical sergeant in 2023. He also completed an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. In the Columbus area, Simmons’ assignment at Rickenbacker placed him within a unit central to the region’s military aviation footprint.
Community remembrance and next steps
In the days following the crash, community expressions of support have focused on honoring Simmons’ service and supporting those affected, including fellow airmen and families of the deceased. While investigative findings have not yet been released, the military has said the inquiry will address the circumstances surrounding the two-aircraft incident and the loss of the tanker.
- Date of crash: March 12, 2026
- Location: western Iraq, over “friendly” territory
- Aircraft: KC-135 Stratotanker
- Fatalities: six crew members
- Cause: under investigation; not hostile fire or friendly fire
Military officials have said the crash occurred during a combat mission and is under investigation, with no indication of hostile or friendly fire as the cause.