Three MacDill Airmen Killed in Iraq KC-135 Crash

Three airmen assigned to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa are among six U.S. service members killed March 12 when a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft crashed over western Iraq, the Defense Department announced Saturday.

The MacDill airmen were identified as 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. The other three were assigned to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio: Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio.

MacDill, located roughly 165 miles northwest of Stuart, hosts major commands that serve as the operational backbone for U.S. military activity across the Middle East and directly links Florida's military community to the ongoing conflict. The crash brings the total U.S. military death toll in the war to 13, with seven killed by enemy fire and eight severely injured, according to the Pentagon. An Iranian proxy group has claimed responsibility. The Pentagon said the cause was neither hostile nor friendly fire and that the incident remains under investigation.

The announcement came as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi directly contradicted President Trump's claim that Tehran was seeking a ceasefire. "No, we never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked even for negotiation. We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes," Araghchi said Sunday on CBS News' "Face the Nation," adding that the conflict is "an illegal war with no victory." Trump told NBC News on Saturday that Iran was ready "to make a deal," but that "the terms aren't good enough yet."

Separately, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr threatened broadcaster license revocations Sunday, accusing outlets of "running hoaxes and news distortions" in coverage of the war. "Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not," Carr wrote on social media. Press freedom advocates are expected to challenge the move.

Israel's military announced fresh strikes on western Iran on Sunday. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported 850 deaths and more than two thousand injuries in Lebanon since the conflict began. No allied nation has yet committed to Trump's call to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to counter Iranian blockades that have sharply driven up global oil prices.

The Pentagon has not announced a timeline for releasing its crash investigation findings.

This article was generated with AI assistance using publicly available information. It was reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication. TC Sentinel uses AI writing tools in accordance with FTC guidelines.