By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
President Donald Trump traveled to Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday to attend a dignified transfer ceremony honoring six U.S. service members who were killed in a military aircraft crash overseas.
The airmen were aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker that went down in western Iraq while supporting military operations in the region. All six crew members died in the crash.
Those fallen include the following servicemembers who served the 99th Air Refueling Squadron for the 117th Air Refueling Wing located at Sumpter Smith Joint Air Nationl Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama:
Major John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33, a resident of Trussville, Alabama, and a graduate of Auburn University. He served as the chief of squadron standardization and evaluations. An eight-year Air Force veteran, Maj. Klinner’s awards include the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster. He is survived by his wife, Libby, and their three young children.
Captain Ariana G. Savino, 31, served as chief of current operations. A native of Washington state, Capt. Savino was a graduate of Central Washington University and Air Force ROTC, with over 300 combat hours. Her awards include the Air Medal and Air Space Commendation Medal.
Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, served as an assistant flight chief of operations. A native of Kentucky, Pruitt received two associate’s degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and had over 900 combat flight hours. Tech Sgt. Pruitt is survived by her husband, Gregory, a young daughter, and a stepson.
Governor Kay Ivey announced plans to lower the flags on the day of Alabama native Major John A. Klinner’s burial.
“To honor these brave military personnel who gave their lives in service to our country, I am directing all flags to be lowered on the day of interment of Alabama native Major John A. Klinner. This flag memo will be updated once Maj. Klinner’s date of interment is announced,” Ivey announced.
During the dignified transfer ceremony, Trump joined military leaders and the families of the fallen as flag-draped transfer cases were carefully moved from the aircraft to awaiting vehicles. The dignified transfer is a formal military tradition recognizing service members who die while deployed.
The visit marked one of multiple recent occasions in which the president has attended such ceremonies, as casualties linked to overseas operations have increased. Officials have noted that these events are among the most solemn duties carried out by national leadership.
The service members represented several states, reflecting the broad national impact of the loss. Military officials have released their identities, and their remains are being prepared for return to their families.
Dover Air Force Base serves as the primary location for receiving the remains of U.S. service members who die overseas, where they are handled with full military honors before being transported home.
An investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.
