Image Credit: Barry Iverson / Contributor / Getty Images 
The Pentagon has released the names of six airmen killed when a refueling plane crashed in Iraq.
The six airmen were: Maj. John A. Klinner, 33; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28.
They were members of the 6th Air Refueling Wing, based in Florida, and the 121st, based in Ohio.
“To lose a member of the Air Force family is excruciatingly painful, especially to those who know them as son, daughter, brother, sister, spouse, mom, or dad. To lose them at the same time is unimaginable,” Col. Ed Szczepanik, the commander of the 6th Air Refueling Wing, said on Saturday.
“Our hearts and minds are with the family, friends and loved ones of our fallen Airmen.”
There were no survivors from the crash, which involved a KC-135 refueling plane.
The crash involved two KC-135s, the second of which was able to land safely in Israel, without casualties.
Although an Iranian-backed militia has claimed responsibility for the crash, US military officials have said the crash was not the result of enemy or friendly fire.
The crash remains under investigation.
The KC-135 plane is the fourth US aircraft to be lost during Operation Epic Fury, the joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran, which began two weeks ago.
Three US F-15ER Strike Eagles were shot down in a friendly-fire incident over Kuwait. There were no casualties.
