Three Ohio Air National Guard airmen killed over Iraq are returning to Columbus for final honors
What happened and who was lost
Three members of the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus were among six U.S. airmen killed March 12, 2026, when a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq during an aerial refueling mission supporting ongoing U.S. military operations in the region.
The airmen assigned to the Columbus-based wing were identified as Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28. Three additional airmen assigned to an Air Force refueling wing based in Florida also died in the crash, bringing the total fatalities aboard the aircraft to six.
Crash details and the status of the investigation
U.S. military statements issued after the incident said the crash occurred in “friendly airspace” and followed an incident involving two aircraft, with the other aircraft able to land safely. Initial information released by the military did not attribute the crash to hostile fire. The cause remains under investigation, and no official determination has been announced.
The KC-135 is a long-serving U.S. aerial refueling platform designed to transfer fuel in midair, extending the range and endurance of fighter, bomber and support aircraft. Aerial refueling operations require precise coordination between aircraft crews and can involve complex procedures in congested airspace.
Return to the United States and plans affecting Columbus
The fallen airmen’s remains were returned to the United States through a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on March 18, 2026. The transfer is a military ceremony conducted to honor service members who die while deployed.
From Dover, arrangements were made for the airmen to be transported back to central Ohio, where further honors and family-directed funeral plans are expected. State actions in the days after the crash included orders to lower flags in Ohio in recognition of the airmen killed.
Local and operational context
The 121st Air Refueling Wing is a key Ohio Air National Guard unit with a longstanding refueling mission that supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. The deaths of Koval, Angst and Simmons represent a significant loss for the Rickenbacker-based community, particularly given the specialized nature of tanker operations and the small, highly trained crews required to execute them.
Date of crash: March 12, 2026
Location: Western Iraq
Aircraft: KC-135 Stratotanker
Ohio-based airmen killed: Capt. Seth R. Koval; Capt. Curtis J. Angst; Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons
Dignified transfer: March 18, 2026, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and official findings have not yet been released.