Conflict in Iran: Pentagon Discloses Names of Six US Troops Fatally Wounded in Iraq Operation

The Pentagon revealed the identities of six US crew members who lost their lives in a refueling aircraft crash in western Iraq on Saturday, stating that the incident was not a result of "hostile fire".

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The crash occurred on Thursday, involving a KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft, and has brought the total number of US troops killed in operations against Iran to at least 13.

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A second aircraft participating in the operation landed safely, while the KC-135 crash resulted in the loss of six lives.

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The six crew members killed in the crash were identified as John Klinner, 33, from Auburn, Alabama; Ariana Savino, 31, from Covington, Washington; Ashley Pruitt, 34, from Bardstown, Kentucky; Seth Koval, 38, from Mooresville, Indiana; Curtis Angst, 30, from Wilmington, Ohio; and Tyler Simmons, 28, from Columbus, Ohio.

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The first three individuals were members of the US Air Force, while the latter three were stationed with the US Air National Guard.

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Pentagon officials stated that the crash remains under investigation, but US Central Command has previously clarified that the loss of the aircraft was not due to "hostile fire or friendly fire".

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The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of Iran-backed Iraqi factions, claimed responsibility for downing a KC-135 and targeting another plane that managed to escape.

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Since the start of the Middle East war, the alliance has been claiming daily attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the region.

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The KC-135 crash marks at least the fourth US military aircraft lost during the war, following the downing of three F-15s by friendly fire over Kuwait.

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KC-135s have been in operation for over 60 years and typically have a crew of three, consisting of a pilot, copilot, and a boom operator, according to the US Air Force.

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However, some KC-135 missions require a navigator, and the aircraft can carry up to 37 passengers, as stated in an Air Force factsheet.

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Early in the war, which began on February 28, Kuwaiti forces mistakenly downed three American F-15E fighters, but all six crew members were able to eject, according to CENTCOM.

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This incident occurred during combat involving "attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones", as reported by the military command at the time.