Tragic Loss of U.S. Airman in Plane Crash

One of the airmen who lost his life earlier this month during a refueling plane crash had, just a day before, expressed a haunting feeling about not returning home, according to his father. Tech Sergeant Tyler Simmons, aged 28, was calm during a phone call just before the incident, in which he and five others were killed while refueling over Iraq.

In a conversation with his father, Milo, Tyler shared, “He told me how much he loved me, and to tell my dog Grayson that I loved him too.” Milo recounted that Tyler had a clear sense of purpose in those final words. However, he also mentioned, “Unfortunately, he told me he didn’t think he would come back.”

Milo, feeling the weight of loss yet proud, expressed that he hoped Tyler was mistaken but found solace in knowing his son died pursuing his passion.

“I always told him to live life with no regrets,” Milo reflected. “If Tyler had the chance to do it all again, I think he would make the same choice because he loved what he did.” While he acknowledged that no one anticipates such a loss, he spoke fondly of his son, calling him an amazing individual and a privilege to parent.

Before his tragic end, Simmons, who hailed from Columbus, Ohio, shared the difficulties he faced during deployment with his family. He mentioned to his mother, Cheryl, that his team had faced gunfire.

Cheryl vividly recalled the moment she heard the devastating news from a police officer. “I opened the door and saw them lined up on the porch. I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

Simmons, along with two other airmen, Seth Koval, 38, and Curtis Angst, 30, were members of the 121st Air Refueling Wing based in Columbus. The others killed alongside them included Major John Kleiner, 33, Captain Ariana Savino, 31, and Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt, 34, who were part of the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.

Army Secretary Pete Hegseth paid tribute to them, calling them “all American heroes.”