The Pentagon has revealed the names of six U.S. airmen who tragically lost their lives in a KC-135 refueling aircraft crash that occurred during a combat mission in support of Operation Epic Fury in western Iraq. The incident happened during a routine mission in 'friendly' airspace and involved an unspecified mid-air incident with another aircraft, which landed safely, while the KC-135 aircraft crashed. Military investigations are ongoing, and officials have clarified that the crash was not a result of hostile or friendly fire.

The fallen service members were part of the 6th Air Refueling Wing based in Florida and the 121st Air Refueling Wing stationed in Ohio. The airmen who perished include Maj. John