HEARTBREAKING: U.S. Airman Killed in KC-135 Crash Identified

One of the six U.S. airmen who were killed when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq has been identified as Major Alex Klinner from Birmingham, AL.

Maj. Klinner was a graduate of Auburn University for mechanical engineering.

He leaves behind his wife, Libby, and three young children.

Here are some photos and clips of him with his family:

🚨 JUST IN: One of the American airmen who lost his life in the KC-135 crash in Iraq has been identified as Maj. Alex Klinner

Klinner leaves behind a wife, a 2-year-old, and 7 month old twins

Absolutely heartbreaking. Pray for the Klinner family 💔🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/AQBKvbb4SR

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 14, 2026

Major Alex Klinner has been named by his family as the 2nd of 6 US service members killed in Thursday’s refueling operation to support the US war against Iran. He leaves behind a wife and three children. (Photos from GoFundMe set up to support the family https://t.co/slqBezpmqX) pic.twitter.com/8VE0VILGWT

— Jake Tapper 🦅 (@jaketapper) March 14, 2026

Maj. Alex Klinner was one of the six American service members killed Thursday in support of Operation Epic Fury when a KC-135 crashed in Iraq! pic.twitter.com/4vsGKOHBXY

— Chauhan (@Platypuss_10) March 14, 2026

AL shared some statements from Alex’s family and Auburn University:

“On March 12, our world shattered,” his wife, Libby, posted on Instagram.

“I’m devastated to lose the best person I know, the person that made everything more fun, my best friend. But even more so, my heart is broken for our three kids who will grow up not knowing him,” Libby wrote.

“They won’t see how goofy and funny he was. They won’t witness his selflessness, the way he thought about everyone else before himself. They won’t get to feel the deep love he had for them. He was an incredible person and husband, but he was the best dad.”

Major Klinner served the U.S. Air Force for eight years, his sister-in-law Sarah Rose Harrill wrote on GoFundMe.

“Alex was more than a serviceman,” Harrill wrote.

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“He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and the kind of person who would quietly step in to help anyone who needed it. He embodied what it means to be a servant leader. His loss has left an immeasurable void in the lives of all who knew and loved him.”

His wife wrote on Instagram just days ago that this was “by far the hardest deployment.”

“This is far from our first deployment, but the uncertain nature of the world makes this one filled with so much more worry and stress,” Libby Klinner wrote.

“The kids didn’t ask for this and they certainly don’t understand it. They just know that their world has suddenly turned upside down and that is heartbreaking.”

Libby wrote on social media in December that the family was moving from Birmingham to Oklahoma though they had petitioned to stay in Alabama. They had lived in Birmingham since 2022.

“It still doesn’t feel real. I keep thinking that I’ll get a text from him saying ‘Sorry honey! Didn’t mean to scare you’ and everything will be alright. Because Alex always made everything alright. We just moved to a new home and we had so many exciting plans in the next few years. Now we are left to navigate the void left in our hearts,” Libby posted on Saturday.

Auburn University officials released this statement this morning:

“His commitment to serving our nation reflects the courage, character and sense of duty demonstrated by those who choose a life of service,” AU’s statement said. “As we honor Maj. Klinner’s life and legacy, we are reminded of Auburn’s long tradition of alumni who dedicate themselves to protecting and serving others through armed forces.”

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This is so sad and tragic.

Please keep the Klinner family in your prayers.

If you want to donate to their GoFundMe, you can do so here.

The identities of the other five service members killed in the crash have not been released yet.

However, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine confirmed that three of the fallen soldiers were from his state:

I have been advised by Ohio's Adjutant General that three of the six servicemembers killed during the air refueling mission in Iraq were Ohioans deployed with the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing. Fran and I are deeply saddened by this news and offer our sincere…

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) March 13, 2026

I have been advised by Ohio’s Adjutant General that three of the six servicemembers killed during the air refueling mission in Iraq were Ohioans deployed with the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing. Fran and I are deeply saddened by this news and offer our sincere condolences to their families.

We’ll continue to bring you updates as they come in.

Pray for all of our brave troops!