By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has ordered flags across Alabama to be flown at half-staff in tribute to three U.S. airmen with Alabama ties who were killed earlier this month in an aircraft accident overseas.
According to a memorandum issued Wednesday, flags will be lowered from sunrise until sunset on Monday, March 30, coinciding with funeral services for one of the fallen servicemembers.
“I authorize the lowering of flags at the Capitol Complex in Montgomery and statewide…in honor of U.S. military service members stationed in Alabama, who lost their lives on March 12, 2026, during an accident involving their KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft,” Ivey wrote.
The Airmen were assigned to the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, part of the 117th Air Refueling Wing based at Sumpter Smith Joint Air National Guard Base in Birmingham. The aircraft was supporting operations tied to Operation Inherent Resolve at the time of the crash.
The victims include Major John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33, of Trussville; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31; and Technical Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34.
Klinner’s family publicly identified him early Saturday following the crash. The Auburn University graduate served as chief of squadron standards and evaluations. An eight-year Air Force veteran, he earned multiple honors, including the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Aerial Achievement Medal. Klinner is survived by his wife, Libby, and their three young children.
Savino served as chief of current operations and was previously stationed at bases in Georgia and Mississippi. She logged 362 combat hours and an additional 181 combat support hours during her career. A graduate of Central Washington University, Savino received both the Air Medal and the Air and Space Commendation Medal.
Pruitt served as an assistant flight chief of operations and accumulated more than 900 combat flight hours. She also earned two associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force. Pruitt is survived by her husband, Gregory, their young daughter, and her stepson.
The other three casualties were from the Ohio National Guard. They were Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38; and Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30.
“To honor these brave Airmen who gave their lives in service to our country, I am directing all flags to be lowered,” Ivey stated, noting the tribute will coincide with Klinner’s funeral services.
The governor’s order follows earlier recognitions at both the state and federal levels honoring the fallen servicemembers. Alabama’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, recently supported a resolution paying tribute to those killed in the crash.
The incident, which involved a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft, remains under investigation, and details about whether the aircraft crashed due to an attack or an accident have not been released. The loss has drawn widespread attention across Alabama, particularly in the Birmingham area where the 117th Air Refueling Wing is based.
State officials have encouraged residents to observe the flag-lowering as a sign of respect and remembrance for the fallen Airmen and their families.
