Seth R Koval - Operation Epic Fury -- OurWarHeroes.org

Seth R Koval

Mooresville, Indiana

March 12, 2026

Age	Military	Rank	Unit/Location
38	Air Force	Capt	121st Air Refueling Wing Rickenbacker ANG Base Columbus, Ohio

Airmen died on March 12, 2026, in the crash of a KC-135 in western Iraq.

From 10 WBNS TV 10tv.com 03/14/26

All 3 Ohio crew members have been identified in the deadly Iraq plane crash.
Here's who they were
The Pentagon has identified Capts. Seth Koval and Curtis Angst as well as Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons, who died in the Thursday crash.

Author: 10TV Web Staff, Associated Press
Published: 10:28 PM EDT March 14, 2026
Updated: 10:28 PM EDT March 14, 2026
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — The crew members from Ohio killed in a U.S. refueling aircraft crash in Iraq were formally identified Saturday.

The U.S. Department of Defense identified Capts. Seth Koval and Curtis Angst as well as Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons, who died in the Thursday crash during Operation Epic Fury, according to a release from the Ohio Adjutant General. Three other crew members died in the crash and were also identified.

DeWine said in a post on X on Friday that the three Ohioans were deployed with the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus.

Koval, 38, was an aircraft commander from Stoutsville with 19 years of service. Angst, 30, was a KC-135 pilot from Columbus with 10 years of service. Simmons, an Eastmoor Academy High School graduate, was a 28-year-old boom operator with eight years of service.

U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace" and that the other plane landed safely.

DeWine has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Angst, Koval and Simmons.

United States and State of Ohio flags are to be lowered at all public buildings and grounds statewide. The flags will remains lowered until sunset on the day of their funerals.

“Today we mourn the loss of three remarkable Airmen whose service and commitment embodied the very best of our Ohio National Guard. Their impact on their teammates and our mission will not be forgotten," said Maj. Gen. Matthew Woodruff. "Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and fellow service members, and our entire Guard family stands with them as we grieve together during this difficult time."

The following biographies are provided by the United States Air Force:

Capt. Seth R. Koval was a KC-135R Stratotanker Instructor Pilot for the 166th Air Refueling Squadron attached to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus. He was responsible for training pilots in worldwide air refueling, aeromedical, cargo and passenger operations.

Koval enlisted into the Air Force in 2006 as a machinist with the Indiana National Guard’s 122nd Fighter Wing. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aviation operations from Purdue University in 2011 before transferring to the Ohio Air National Guard in 2017.

He was selected for a commission in 2018 with the 121st Air Refueling Wing, completed pilot training in January 2020 and completed instructor pilot upgrade in 2024, while assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing.

Koval deployed in 2014, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2026 in support of U.S. Air Force in Europe, United States Central Command and United States Pacific Command for operations Enduring Freedom, Spartan Shield and Epic Fury, flying 443 combat hours and 2,076 total hours.

"Seth was a man whose life I could never confine to a single statement and whose loss will echo in my heart forever," said Heather Nichole on behalf of the Koval family. "He was truly the most amazing husband, father, son, brother, friend, and Airman. He loved what he did, and he was proud to put his uniform on and serve others. He grew up dreaming about becoming a pilot and to stand beside him as he made his dreams come true was an honor."

Capt. Curtis J. Angst served as a KC-135R pilot for the 166th Air Refueling Squadron at the 121st Air Refueling Wing. He was responsible for flying worldwide air refueling, aeromedical, cargo and passenger operations.

Before commissioning, Angst attended the University of Cincinnati, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering.

He initially enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard on May 6, 2015, as a Vehicle Maintenance Technician with the 123rd Air Control Squadron.

Angst went on to earn a commission in 2021 and attended undergraduate pilot training in 2022, followed by the KC-135R Pilot Initial Qualification in 2024.

He deployed in 2015 and 2026 in support of operations Spartan Shield and Epic Fury. During his time with the 166th Air Refueling Squadron, Angst flew a total of 880 flight hours with 67 combat hours.

Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons was a KC-135R Boom Operator at the 166th Air Refueling Squadron at the 121st Air Refueling Wing. He was responsible for conducting worldwide air refueling and transferring fuel from the tanker to receiver aircraft, along with aeromedical, cargo and passenger operations.

Simmons entered the Air Force in 2017 through Air Force Basic Military Training. He completed security forces technical training school in May 2018.

He became an Inflight Refueling Specialist in April 2022, followed by becoming a Mobility Force Aviator in 2023 with the 166th Air Refueling Squadron at the 121st Air Refueling Wing.

Simmons deployed in 2018, 2023 and 2026 in support of U.S. Central Command, supporting operations Freedom Sentinel, Spartan Shield and Epic Fury, flying 230 combat hours.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

From FOX59 / CBS4 fox59.com 03/14/26

Indiana man among those killed in military plane crash in Iraq

by: Austin Hanson
Posted: Mar 14, 2026 / 09:52 PM EDT
Updated: Mar 14, 2026 / 10:59 PM EDT

MOORESVILLE, Ind. — An Indiana man was among those killed in a military plane crash in Iraq on Thursday.

The United States Department of War identified all six individuals who were killed in the crash on Saturday night. Captain Seth R. Koval, a 38-year-old from Mooresville, was one of the service members the DoW identified.

In a post on Facebook, Koval’s wife provided a statement and the following photos of her husband:

According to a bio provided by the Ohio Air National Guard, Koval was an instructor pilot for the 116th Air Refueling Squadron. He trained pilots in air refueling, aeromedical, cargo and passenger operations.

Koval enlisted in the Air Force in 2006 as a machinist with the Indiana National Guard’s 122nd Fighter Wing.

In 2011, Koval graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in aviation operations. He transferred out of Indiana to the Ohio Air National Guard in 2017. The Ohio Adjutant General’s Department reported that Koval most recently lived in Stoutsville, Ohio, which is located southeast of Columbus.

Koval was selected for a commission in 2018 with the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus. He completed pilot training in January 2020 and finished instructor pilot upgrade in 2024.

Koval had been deployed to serve the U.S. Air Force on four occasions prior to his death. He was deployed in 2014, 2020, 2022 and 2023. His assignments sent to him to Europe, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Pacific Command.

His work supported Operations Enduring Freedom, Spartan Shield and Epic Fury. Over his 19-year military career, Koval flew 443 combat hours and 2,076 total hours.

Koval received the following awards and honors during his career:

Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal

He also the earned the following promotions:

Second Lieutenant, Nov. 9, 2018
First Lieutenant, Nov. 9, 2020
Captain, Nov. 9, 2022

Today we mourn the loss of three remarkable Airmen whose service and commitment
embodied the very best of our Ohio National Guard. Their impact on their teammates and our mission will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and fellow service members, and our entire Guard family stands with them as we grieve together during this difficult time.
Major General Matthew S. Woodruff, Ohio Adjutant General

Per the DoW, the following members of the U.S. Air Force were killed in the crash in addition to Koval:

Major John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama
Captain Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington
Tech. Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, or Bardstown, Kentucky
Captain Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio
Tech. Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio

Koval, Angst and Simmons were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio, before they died. Klinner, Savino and Pruitt were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.

A report from The Associated Press indicates the crash involved a KC-135 refueling aircraft staffed by the six decedents. The aircraft crashed while supporting U.S. military operations in Iran.

U.S. Central Command has indicated that the crash was the result of an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace.” Per the AP, the other plane involved in the incident landed safely.

The DoW reported that its investigation of the crash is still ongoing.

Koval’s bio indicated that he had worked with the KC-135R before the crash. From October 2022 to September 2024, he was a KC-135R aircraft commander. Beginning in October 2024, Koval served as a KC-135R instructor pilot.

The AP has reported that at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed in the military conflict in Iran thus far. More than 140 service members have been injured.

Our world was shattered two days ago. There is nothing that can prepare you to receive news that you’ve lost the love of your life. Our family will never be the same. As we figure out how to pick up the pieces and move forward, we are deeply grateful for the love and support we have received. That support, and the help of our Heavenly Father, will hold us together in these fragile moments as we face a reality without him.

Seth was a man whose life I could never confine to a single statement and whose loss will echo in my heart forever. Seth was exceptional in everything he did. He was truly the most amazing husband, father, son, brother, friend, and Airman. He loved what he did, and he was proud to put his uniform on and serve others. He grew up dreaming about becoming a pilot and to stand beside him as he made his dreams come true was an honor.

My husband was many things – loving, generous, kind-hearted, smart, devoted, a fixer of all things, a real outdoorsman, and selfless. The most important thing about my husband was that Jesus was his Lord and Savior. He always put others before himself – until the very end. I will see him in the smile of our son and carry him with me in every moment. I have overwhelming hope and peace because he is with His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Please help us honor Seth by respecting our wishes for privacy during this devastating time.

Statement released by Seth Koval’s wife, Heather, on Facebook