Pentagon identifies six U.S. servicemembers killed in refueling aircraft crash

The Hill
by Sophie Brams
March 15, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Six U.S. servicemembers died when their military refueling plane crashed in Iraq.

AI Summary

The Pentagon identified six U.S. servicemembers killed when their KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. The victims included Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky, among others. The crash represents one of the deadliest single incidents for U.S. forces in the region in recent months. The Defense Department has not yet released details about the cause of the crash or the mission the aircraft was conducting. Military officials are expected to conduct a full investigation into the incident.

What's Being Done

The Defense Department will conduct a full investigation into the crash.

Source Coverage Map

7 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

16% coverage
Did Not Cover (36)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP Top News96ProPublica95+31 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

5 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

All six US service members killed in plane crash over Iraq - Reuters
National Security

All six US service members killed in plane crash over Iraq - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMingFBVV95cUxNVzZFenYzNVdQVFk1TE9WNnd1a2IyTmw0NDZuTDlHWkVTcTVkUm1EVTk0TklEUWg4TXBPRVBPOTlRY0FsbFowOGJ1ZmptSl9YRWp6LUdaSnRubk1IanRiSVdDNHlIaFEtX21VcXZYNzh1Q1c5STlObFAxYjFnUEpzak5felRnZ3VEbGxvVUVnSlRSUHZaSjcxTV9RcnR1UQ?oc=5" target="_blank">All six US service members killed in plane crash over Iraq</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 13
A US military refueling plane crashed in Iraq. Here’s what to know - AP News
National Security

A US military refueling plane crashed in Iraq. Here’s what to know - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxOWUZzMGJZSzFUX3k1WjdhRHBkMFZ5SFNCSEJvbzVPMERsMk5kS0tZUWdKOUtMZ0wwa0E5UDVQNlhlbVBYTVhCZmRCZHd4S1VfTkpqRy1vRnlWLWlVbEJIWGJMMkpTVGxvVTBiT0JFZC1uaktGdWZwc1JDeGU2bVBoSEx1dE54T0ZWRVd5NnMxZGh1aUt2WHdxblZwbzdjbnY1NWc?oc=5" target="_blank">A US military refueling plane crashed in Iraq. Here’s what to know</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 13
U.S. military plane crashes in Iraq as status of crew is unknown, officials said
National Security

U.S. military plane crashes in Iraq as status of crew is unknown, officials said

An aerial refueling tanker crashed in Western Iraq, U.S. officials said.

CBS NewsMar 12
U.S. military refueling plane crashes in Iraq
National Security

U.S. military refueling plane crashes in Iraq

Rescue efforts were underway, U.S. Central Command said Thursday.

PBS NewsHourMar 13
Iran-backed Iraqi group claims responsibility for downing US military aircraft - Reuters
National Security

Iran-backed Iraqi group claims responsibility for downing US military aircraft - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixwFBVV95cUxPZU1hcE02U3ZveFhYUFBfVlRXeXNZMGp5eDd6MGh1c1FJU0hhb3NId2wzVzhZUXNIVGdpUFNZbFVvZEFONTZtQmpvQWwwNUhzX3lzdzh2dkRlZEUtckRfUFFuVnhCNnU1UmRVanRvYXF4UGxxMVhSd1ZYRFQ2dTA1OFpvYnRoTkMxTVhBdXh6MjhCT3dEbWptV21nc1hTUFcwbjJMa1NvZnhNaXdiejFCcnBBZll1aTdNXzNjbXhGQUtMM1hRV0VF?oc=5" target="_blank">Iran-backed Iraqi group claims responsibility for downing US military aircraft</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 13
US military refueling plane goes down in Iraq and rescue is underway - AP News
National Security

US military refueling plane goes down in Iraq and rescue is underway - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxQR0tSS0stN1BwdHpCOTZ0ZzFBaHlPTkVtTTFEOWgzRzFhSVpFRVk0WnRrdm91RG1Ra09TUS1taDJpaW5jZmczUUYxVFBrWFh3bFU4UWxDc25sQkdnT282Wm80UVhkd05DMXU0NklWU0lJcWRDWEJfWVNhM0s2OEk5SWFvR1dESnc0NGk0VGRnOEhuU09zWUVSZ1c2dw?oc=5" target="_blank">US military refueling plane goes down in Iraq and rescue is underway</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 12
Read Next
Trump says US destroyed every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure if tankers blocked
National Security

Trump says US destroyed every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure if tankers blocked

President Trump said on Friday that the U.S. military conducted one of the most “powerful” bombing raids and totally “obliterated” every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, one of the country’s most vital economic outposts.  The president said that for “reasons of decency,” the U.S. military did not wipe out the oil infrastructure on the…

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources