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The U.S. military has revealed the identities of six crew members killed in a devastating aviation accident over Iraq, an event now widely referred to as the US service members in Iraq plane crash.

The fatal incident involved a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, a cornerstone aircraft used to refuel combat jets midair, allowing them to extend missions far beyond normal limits.

Pentagon Names Six Fallen Crew Members

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the crew members killed in the crash were:

• John Klinner, 33, from Alabama

• Ariana Savino, 31, from Washington

• Ashley Pruitt, 34, from Kentucky

• Seth Koval, 38, from Indiana

• Curtis Angst, 30, from Ohio

• Tyler Simmons, 28, from Ohio

The first three victims served in the United States Air Force, while the remaining three were members of the United States National Guard.

Aircraft Downed During Combat Mission

Officials said the aircraft was carrying out a combat mission over western Iraq when it went down.

Two aircraft were involved in the mission. While one crashed, the second plane landed safely, according to military statements.

The incident occurred within friendly airspace, according to United States Central Command, which oversees military operations throughout the region.

Investigators Explore Possible Midair Collision

The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.

U.S. officials told CBS News that investigators are examining whether the disaster involved a midair collision, though no final conclusion has been reached.

Military authorities have already ruled out both hostile fire and friendly fire as causes.

An Iraqi intelligence source said the aircraft came down near Turaibil, located close to the border between Iraq and Jordan.

Conflicting Claims Emerge

Despite the military’s assessment, competing narratives have surfaced.

Iran’s military claimed on state television that an allied militia group had targeted the aircraft with a missile.

However, U.S. officials have not confirmed that claim and continue to insist that the evidence so far does not indicate the aircraft was shot down.

Pro-Iranian militia groups are known to operate in parts of western Iraq, adding further complexity to the investigation.

Rising Toll in Expanding Regional Conflict

The tragedy adds to the growing number of casualties in the widening conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Thursday’s crash raises the official U.S. military death toll in the US-Israel war with Iran to 13 since the conflict erupted two weeks ago.

The war began after United States and Israel launched major air strikes on Iran, including an attack that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Additional casualties have been reported across the region:

• Six U.S. service members killed in Kuwait

• One American soldier killed in Saudi Arabia

Multiple Aircraft Losses During Conflict

The United States has also suffered significant aircraft losses since the war began.

At least four U.S. aircraft have been destroyed during the conflict.

Earlier in March, three F-15 fighter jet aircraft were shot down in what officials described as an apparent friendly fire incident over Kuwait.

Fortunately, all six crew members in those jets were able to eject safely, avoiding further fatalities.

A Workhorse of U.S. Air Power

The aircraft lost in the crash—the KC-135 Stratotanker—has served as a backbone of U.S. air operations for decades.

Manufactured by Boeing during the 1950s and early 1960s, the refueling aircraft allows fighter jets and bombers to remain airborne for extended missions without landing.

Often compared to a flying fuel station, the aircraft quietly powers long-range military operations around the world.

Tributes to the Fallen

In a statement following the tragedy, Pete Hegseth honored the fallen crew members.

He described them as “American heroes” who died while carrying out dangerous missions in defense of their country.

As investigators work to uncover what led to the deadly incident, the loss of the six crew members stands as a stark reminder of the risks faced by service members operating in conflict zones.