SEATTLE — The six service members who died after a U.S. military refueling plane crashed in Iraq on Thursday have been identified, with one being from Covington, according to the U.S Department of War.
Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, was supporting Operation Epic Fury along with 5 others when their Stratotanker KC-135 crashed in western Iraq.
The following Air Force Airmen died in the crash, along with Savino:
- Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Alabama
- Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Kentucky
- Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Indiana
- Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30 of Ohio
- Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28 of Ohio
Savino was assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing in MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, in a statement officials said, “Team MacDill is devastated by the loss of three members of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, and we offer our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.”
One man who said he was a former flight instructor for Savino, told KOMO News that “I don’t remember all my students but I definitely remember her.”
Another retired fighter pilot, who said he worked alongside Savino for a little over a year, described her as a “good human”, and said that he “smiled every time she came into my office.”
According to the U.S Air Force, the King County native was a 2017 graduate of Central Washington University, where she earned her her active duty commission in 2017, through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Through training in Georgia, Savino had been promoted to Captain by 2021, and by 2025 she had ‘earned her wings’ as a Pilot within the U.S Air Force.
Captain Savino had deployed twice, in 2020 and 2026 in support of United States Central Command Operations SPARTAN SHIELD, SENTINEL SENTRY, and EPIC FURY.
She had flown 348 combat hours as a Combat Systems Operator and as a Pilot of a KC-135 Stratotanker.
Savino had been awarded the Air Medal and Air and Space Commendation Medal during her years of service and training.
You can read more of her Air Force biography below:
King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, District 9, released the following statement in response to learning about the news:
I was greatly saddened to learn today of the passing of Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington. She made the ultimate sacrifice in service to her country in the Middle East in a great time of need. Ashley and I send our thoughts and prayers to her family and friends. I firmly believe that her service will make our country safer for everyone.
Senator Murray shared the following statement on the passing of Capt. Ariana G. Savino:
I am heartbroken to learn about the passing of Capt. Ariana G. Savino from Washington state. I am deeply grateful for her courage and sacrifice in service to our country. Our servicemembers put their lives on the line to keep our country safe—remarkable women like Capt. Savino represent the absolute best of our state and country. I also want to express my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of Capt. Savino and join them in mourning her loss. I, of course, also extend my condolences to the families and loved ones of the other five brave Air Force Airmen we lost in this tragic incident. As we mourn the passing of these heroes, we must remember our commitment to honor them not only with words but by supporting the families they leave behind. The families and friends of Capt. Savino are in my thoughts during this difficult time.
Although the incident occurred in a “friendly airspace,” during Operation Epic Fury, it was not due to “friendly fire,” CENTCOM said.
The crash came after Kuwait “mistakenly shot down” three American F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury last week. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
The KC-135 Stratotanker is a U.S. Air Force aircraft used to refuel other planes in midair, allowing them to travel longer distances and maintain operations longer without landing.
The plane is also used to transport wounded personnel during medical evacuations or conduct surveillance missions, according to military experts.
This is a developing story, and KOMO News will update it as more information becomes available.
