HOUSTON – A recent tragedy has saddened a community and a family as six U.S. service members, including a new father and a recently promoted major, died in a plane crash in Iraq. Among the dead was 33-year-old Alex Kleiner, an Alabama native who had been promoted to major in January and had been deployed for less than a week at the time of the incident.
Kleiner, a pilot with the 6th Air Refueling Wing, was assisting in operations against Iran at the time of the crash on March 9, 2026. His aircraft was supporting military operations in “friendly” airspace when an unspecified incident involving another aircraft resulted in the tragic accident. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, Kleiner died shortly after being taken to a nearby medical facility.
Kleiner is survived by his wife, Libby, and three young children, including 7-month-old twins and a 2-year-old son. His brother-in-law, James Harrill, shared the family’s pain of loss, remembering Kleiner as a devoted father who had an undeniable presence. “He was a really good father and loved his family very much – very much,” Harrill said.
Five other service members also lost their lives in the crash: Capt. Ariana Savino, 31, of Washington; Take. Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Kentucky; Capt. Seth Koval, 38; Captain Curtis Angst, 30; And tech. Sergeant Tyler Simmons, 28, were all part of US Air Force refueling teams. These service members were on a mission to keep operations running smoothly by refueling aircraft mid-flight, a critical role in extended air missions.
Simmons’ mother, Cheryl Simmons, described her son as having a “smile that could light up any room”, while Kowal was remembered for his 19 years of service and leadership. Angst, a pilot with 10 years of service, was described as a kind and giving person who, like Kleiner, was always willing to help others.
Libby Kleiner, in an emotional social media post, mourned her husband’s death and reflected on the impact he had on her children’s lives. He wrote, “He will not get to see firsthand how he used to come forward to help.” “They won’t see how goofy and funny he was. They won’t see his selflessness, the way he thought of everyone else before himself.”
US Central Command has assured the public that the incident, although tragic, was not caused by hostile or friendly fire and the investigation is ongoing. The KC-135 refueling aircraft, which has been in service for more than 60 years, plays a vital role in sustaining military operations by refueling aircraft in mid-air, extending their range and mission capabilities.
As the investigation continues, the families of these fallen heroes mourn the untimely loss of their loved ones, and their allies and the military community continue to honor their memory and service.