Kentucky airman from Bardstown remembered as 'inspiration' after fatal KC-135 crash in Iraq

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky is mourning the loss of one of its own.

According to the Department of Defense, 34-year-old Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, of Bardstown, was killed in a KC-135 crash in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury.

Pruitt and two others — Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama, and Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington — were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.

Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio, were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.

"The incident occurred over friendly territory in western Iraq while the crew was on a combat mission," Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said. "It was not the result of hostile or friendly fire."

The crash is still under investigation.

The Air Force said Pruitt entered the Air Force in 2017 and deployed several times. She was assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.

Several people shared their overwhelming sadness about Pruitt's death on social media.

She leaves behind a husband and two children, according to a GoFundMe.

The City of Bardstown released a statement on Facebook saying that they are deeply saddened by Pruitt's death.

In a Facebook post, Gov. Andy Beshear sent prayers for Pruitt's family and for the family of another fallen soldier, Benjamin Pennington from Glendale, calling them heroes.

The sergeant's alma mater, Nelson County High School, recognized her as an "inspiration" and thanked her for her service.

Pruitt's former Air Force JROTC instructor Donna Lucchese wrote "she was a true patriot" in a community tribute shared on Nelson County High School's Facebook page.

Lucchese said Pruitt was "compassionate, giving and selfless."