The news about the six U.S. servicemembers who lost their lives in the KC-135 refueling aircraft crash in western Iraq has really been weighing on my mind today. Sometimes when stories like this come out, they are reported quickly and then the world moves on to the next headline. But behind those headlines are real people with families, friends, and entire communities who are now grieving. I think it’s important that we take a moment to acknowledge who these individuals were and the sacrifice they made while serving our country.

The airmen are 33-year-old Maj. John A. Klinner of Auburn, Alabama; 31-year-old Capt. Ariana G. Savino of Covington, Washington; 34-year-old Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt of Bardstown, Kentucky; 38-year-old Capt. Seth R. Koval of Mooresville, Indiana; 30-year-old Capt. Curtis J. Angst of Wilmington, Ohio; and 28-year-old Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons of Columbus, Ohio.

The Defense Department has identified the six airmen who died in the crash on March 12 during Operation Epic Fury. Their names are Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons. Each one of them had their own story, their own life path, and their own reason for choosing to serve.

Maj. John A. Klinner was just 33 years old and from Auburn, Alabama. Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, was from Covington, Washington. Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, was from Bardstown, Kentucky. Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, was from Mooresville, Indiana. Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, came from Wilmington, Ohio. And Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, only 28 years old, was from Columbus, Ohio. When you look at those ages, it really hits you how young some of them were. These were people still building their lives, their careers, and their futures.

Three of the airmen—Klinner, Savino, and Pruitt—were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. The other three—Koval, Angst, and Simmons—were part of the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. These units play a critical role in military operations, especially when it comes to mid-air refueling missions that keep other aircraft operating during long missions. It’s a job that requires incredible skill, teamwork, and trust among crew members.

According to U.S. Central Command, the KC-135 aircraft went down in western Iraq following an incident involving another aircraft in what officials described as “friendly airspace.” The military has already stated that the crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, and the other aircraft involved landed safely. Still, the exact cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the Pentagon.

Even though investigations are important and necessary, they don’t change the reality that six families are now facing the unimaginable loss of someone they loved. Somewhere tonight there are parents, spouses, siblings, and friends trying to process what happened. Communities back home in Alabama, Washington, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio are likely holding vigils, sharing memories, and trying to support each other during a painful moment.

One thing that often gets overlooked in conversations about the military is just how dangerous even routine operations can be. A refueling mission might not sound like combat to many people, but flying large aircraft, coordinating with other planes, and operating in challenging environments carries real risks every single day. The men and women who perform these missions know those risks, and they still step up to do the job.

For me personally, stories like this are a reminder that the cost of service doesn’t only show up in the middle of a battle. Sometimes it comes in moments like this—during training exercises, routine missions, or operations that most of us will never hear about unless something goes wrong. The dedication and courage required to do this work deserve recognition and respect.

I hope that as more details come out about what happened, the investigation brings clarity and helps prevent tragedies like this in the future. But most importantly, I hope these six airmen are remembered not just as names in a report but as individuals who served with commitment and honor.

My thoughts are with the families of Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons. May they rest in peace, and may their families find strength during such a heartbreaking time.