Indiana man among those killed in military plane crash in Iraq

MOORESVILLE, Ind. — An Indiana man was among those killed in a military plane crash in Iraq on Thursday. The United States Department of War identified all six individuals who were killed in the crash on Saturday night. Captain Seth R. Koval, a 38-year-old from Mooresville, was one of the service members the DoW identified. In a post on Facebook, Koval's wife provided a statement and the following photos of her husband: The full statement from Koval's wife, Heather, is available at the bottom of this story. According to a bio provided by the Ohio Air National Guard, Koval was an instructor pilot for the 116th Air Refueling Squadron. He trained pilots in air refueling, aeromedical, cargo and passenger operations. Koval enlisted in the Air Force in 2006 as a machinist with the Indiana National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing. In 2011, Koval graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in aviation operations. He transferred out of Indiana to the Ohio Air National Guard in 2017. The Ohio Adjutant General's Department reported that Koval most recently lived in Stoutsville, Ohio, which is located southeast of Columbus. Koval was selected for a commission in 2018 with the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus. He completed pilot training in January 2020 and finished instructor pilot upgrade in 2024. Koval had been deployed to serve the U.S. Air Force on four occasions prior to his death. He was deployed in 2014, 2020, 2022 and 2023. His assignments sent to him to Europe, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Pacific Command. His work supported Operations Enduring Freedom, Spartan Shield and Epic Fury. Over his 19-year military career, Koval flew 443 combat hours and 2,076 total hours. Koval received the following awards and honors during his career: He also the earned the following promotions: Per the DoW, the following members of the U.S. Air Force were killed in the crash in addition to Koval: Koval, Angst and Simmons were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio, before they died. Klinner, Savino and Pruitt were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. A report from The Associated Press indicates the crash involved a KC-135 refueling aircraft staffed by the six decedents. The aircraft crashed while supporting U.S. military operations in Iran. U.S. Central Command has indicated that the crash was the result of an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in "friendly airspace." Per the AP, the other plane involved in the incident landed safely. The DoW reported that its investigation of the crash is still ongoing. Koval's bio indicated that he had worked with the KC-135R before the crash. From October 2022 to September 2024, he was a KC-135R aircraft commander. Beginning in October 2024, Koval served as a KC-135R instructor pilot. The AP has reported that at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed in the military conflict in Iran thus far. More than 140 service members have been injured.