A woman raising two children was among the six U.S. service members killed last week when a military refueling plane involved in the war with Iran crashed in western Iraq.
Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, hailed from a large family in Bardstown, Kentucky, and was very, very proud of her military career, her husband Gregory Pruitt said Sunday.
I’ll give you something brief: in a word, radiant, he said in a phone interview, trying to hold back tears. If there was a light in the room, she was it.
Survivors include the couple’s 3-year-old daughter and Sgt. Pruitt’s stepson.
Pruitt joined the military nine years ago and had previously deployed overseas three times. She had nearly 900 combat flight hours and two associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force.
Most recently, she served with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron from Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama. She was an assistant flight chief of operations and an instructor in operating the boom on the KC-135, which refuels other planes in midair.
A Crash in Friendly Airspace
The aircraft was supporting operations against Iran when an unspecified incident occurred. The crash is currently under investigation.
“To lose a member of the Air Force family is excruciatingly painful... especially to those who know them as son, daughter, brother, sister, spouse, mom, or dad,” U.S. Air Force Col. Ed Szczepanik stated.
Other victims included Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, Maj. John A. Klinner, Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons, and Capt. Ariana G. Savino, all recognized for their service and dedication.
A Life Dedicated to Service
These heroes leave behind grieving families and a legacy of bravery. As the military community remembers their stories and sacrifices, they also emphasize the profound impact these individuals made on their loved ones and the nation.
