Alabama Honors Fallen Hero: Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff as Fundraiser for Maj. Alex Klinner Surpasses $1.4 Million After Iraq Plane Tragedy

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, has mandated that American flags be flown at half-staff on Tuesday to commemorate three service members from Birmingham who tragically lost their lives in Iraq amidst the conflict with Iran.

Authorities have reported that a total of six service members perished on Thursday following an unfortunate incident involving a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. The aircraft was engaged in refueling operations over western Iraq as part of Operation Epic Fury.

Among the six casualties, three were part of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, which operates out of the 117th Air Refueling Wing at Sumpter Smith Joint Air National Guard Base, as confirmed by Governor Ivey.

Tragically, one of those who perished was Major Alex Klinner, an Alabama native, who was involved in the aircraft crash in Iraq. (Image courtesy of Facebook/James Harrill)

“In tribute to these courageous individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, I am instructing that flags be lowered on the day of interment for Major John A. Klinner, a son of Alabama,” Governor Ivey stated in an official memo.

The date of Klinner’s interment has not yet been announced.

Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33, a resident of Trussville, Ala, and Auburn University alumnus, served as chief of squadron standardization and evaluations.

Klinner, an eight-year Air Force veteran, received awards 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 young children.

A GoFundMe campaign for Klinner’s family has raised nearly $1.4 million from roughly 13,000 donors, as of Tuesday.

The Pentagon identified six U.S. Air Force airmen killed when their aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday as investigators continue probing the cause. (Fox News)

The other two fallen service members who served in the 99th Air Refueling Squadron were identified as Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Washington, who was a graduate of Central Washington University and Air Force ROTC — with over 300 combat hours, and Technical Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Kentucky, who received two associate’s degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and had over 900 combat flight hours. 

Pruitt is survived by her husband, Gregory, a young daughter and a stepson.