Gov. Ivey Orders Flags Lowered to Honor Fallen Alabama Service Member
MONTGOMERY — Governor Kay Ivey has ordered flags across Alabama to be lowered to half-staff in honor of an Alabama service member killed in a military aircraft accident earlier this month while supporting operations over Iraq.
The directive follows the March 12, 2026, crash of a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft over western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury. Six United States military personnel were killed in the incident.
Gov Ivey Flag Directive for Fallen Alabama Military Service Members
Three of those service members were assigned to the 99th Air Refueling Squadron of the 117th Air Refueling Wing at Sumpter Smith Joint Air National Guard Base in Birmingham.
They include Major John A. “Alex” Klinner of Trussville, Captain Ariana G. Savino of Washington state, and Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt of Kentucky.
Major Klinner, 33, served as chief of squadron standardization and evaluations and was an eight-year Air Force veteran. He earned numerous honors during his service, including 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 children.
Captain Savino, 31, served as chief of current operations and logged more than 300 combat hours. A graduate of Central Washington University and Air Force ROTC, she received the Air Medal and Air and Space Commendation Medal.
Technical Sergeant Pruitt, 34, served as an assistant flight chief of operations and had more than 900 combat flight hours. She held two associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and is survived by her husband, Gregory, a daughter, and a stepson.
Governor Ivey’s order directs that flags be lowered on the day of interment for Major Klinner, recognizing his service as an Alabama native. The governor’s office said the flag directive will be updated once funeral arrangements are announced.
In her statement, Ivey honored the fallen airmen, noting their sacrifice in defense of the nation and recognizing the impact of their loss on families, fellow service members, and communities.
