COLUMBUS — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued the following statement on Saturday night after the deaths Capt. Seth Koval, Capt. Curtis Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, who were killed this week during Operation Epic Fury.
“Fran and I join the rest of our state and nation in mourning the tragic deaths of three elite airmen from the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus.
“Capt. Seth Koval, Capt. Curtis Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmonswere trained to transfer fuel from one plane to another in midair, and their work was critical in long-distance missions in defense of our nation.
“Every mission they undertook involved risks that they were willing to take and the courage to put the lives of others above their own. They served with honor.
“We offer our deepest condolences to their families, as well as to the families of Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, and Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt from Alabama, who died alongside them.
“Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
Following the official release of the identities of the airmen by the U.S. Department of War, Governor DeWine has updated this morning’s flag-lowering order and has issued three individual orders:
- Capt. Seth Koval, of Stoutsville, an aircraft commander with the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus. Capt. Koval joined the Ohio Air National Guard in 2006.
- Capt. Curtis Angst, of Columbus, a KC-135 pilot with the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus. Capt. Angst joined the Ohio Air National Guard in 2015.
- Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, of Columbus, a boom operator with the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus. Tech. Sgt. Simmons joined the Ohio Air National Guard in 2017.