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U.S. President Donald Trump returns to the White House from Dover, Delaware, following a dignified transfer ceremony, in Washington, D.C. (Evelyn Hockstein via REUTERS).

Rebecca Downs / @RebeccaRoseGold

Rebecca Downs is the Ohio correspondent for The Daily Signal. Send an email to Rebecca.

Operation Epic Fury has hit home for the Buckeye State. Last Wednesday, three members of the U.S. military from Ohio returned home after paying the ultimate sacrifice.

President Donald Trump was in attendance for the dignified transfer as America remembers and honors these fallen soldiers.

Ohio natives Cpt. Seth Koval, Cpt. Curtis Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons were among the six killed on March 12 aboard a KC-135 fueling tanker that crashed while refueling. All three were members of the Ohio Air National Guard, part of the U.S. Air Force.

The crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, according to U.S. Central Command. It occurred in friendly airspace in western Iraq during the operation against Iran.

Their courage will never be forgotten. ?? pic.twitter.com/hUqzwKikMO— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 18, 2026

Their courage will never be forgotten. ?? pic.twitter.com/hUqzwKikMO

Cpt. Seth Koval, 30, of Stoutsville

Koval served as a KC-135 instructor pilot assigned to the 166th Air Refueling Squadron at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus.

Rep. Troy Balderson, R-Ohio, represents Ohio’s 12th Congressional District, which includes Stoutsville. He issued a statement on X honoring the sacrifice of Koval and the others who died in the crash.

I am heartbroken by the loss of six servicemembers during an aerial refueling mission in Iraq. Three of those lost were Ohioans serving in the Ohio Air National Guard. These brave Americans answered the call to serve our nation, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.…— Congressman Troy Balderson (@RepBalderson) March 13, 2026

I am heartbroken by the loss of six servicemembers during an aerial refueling mission in Iraq. Three of those lost were Ohioans serving in the Ohio Air National Guard. These brave Americans answered the call to serve our nation, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.…

Last Friday, Balderson introduced a resolution to honor those servicemembers. He was joined by fellow Ohio Republicans, Reps. Dave Taylor and Mike Carey.

Republican Ohio state Sen. Tim Schaffer, who represents District 20, also memorialized Koval in a statement for The Daily Signal, saying he was “saddened” to learn that one of the fallen was from his district.

“We remember him as a hero for his patriotism and bravery. Please uplift his family in prayer. Rest in peace, Captain Seth Koval,” Schaffer shared. He heaped praise on the “brave military heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”

“We are forever grateful for their service and sacrifice, and we pray for their families. God bless them all,” Schaffer added.

Cpt. Curtis Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio

Angst was a KC-135 pilot, also assigned to the 166th Air Refueling Squadron.

Wilmington Mayor Pat Haley and his city hope to honor Angst once a memorial is approved by the family, WKRC reported.

Haley told The Daily Signal that the family is “working out the details” for arrangements, which involves “coordinating with the military.”

Taylor, who represents Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Wilmington, Ohio, memorialized the fallen in a statement for The Daily Signal.

“Captain Curtis Angst of Columbus served for an entire decade, leaving behind a legacy of selfless sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to his country. He will be remembered as an American hero,” Taylor said.

The “tragedy,” Taylor added, “is a solemn reminder that freedom is not free, and we owe a debt of gratitude to the crew members who gave their lives in service to our country.”

Republican Ohio state Sen. Kyle Koehler of District 10 told The Daily Signal, “Captain Curtis Angst’s name will now be remembered with the thousands of men and women who have given the ‘last full measure of devotion’ to protect and defend our freedoms.”

“My heart goes out to his wife and family,” Koehler continued. “We are forever grateful for his sacrifice, which is now their sacrifice.”

“In this year where we celebrate this country’s 250th anniversary, I am humbled by those who still fight to this day to defend our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Koehler added.

Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus

Simmons was a KC-135 Boom Operator with the 166th Air Refueling Station and was posthumously promoted to master sergeant.

Statements came flooding in throughout Columbus to honor Simmons.

“I am heartbroken to learn of the loss of Tyler Simmons, a proud member of our community who chose a life of service to this nation,” Ohio state Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, a Democrat representing the 1st District, said.

“Tyler represented the very best of us, courageous enough to answer the call of duty and committed to something greater than himself,” Jarrells continued. “My prayers are with his family, his fellow service members, and everyone who loved him. As a community, we honor his sacrifice, we remember his life, and we hold close the responsibility to never take for granted the freedoms secured by men and women like Tyler.”

Ohio state Sen. Hearcel Craig, a Democrat representing District 15, also honored Simmons in a statement shared with The Daily Signal.

“My heart is heavy at the tragic loss of Sgt. Tyler Simmons, a brave and honorable young man from our community who dedicated his life to serving his country in the U.S. Air Force,” Craig said. “As a proud graduate of Eastmoor High School and through his extraordinary service, Tyler represented the very best of our community. May our prayers be with his family, friends, and fellow service members as we honor Tyler’s exemplary life and sacrifice.”

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther mourned for Simmons, whose “life was taken far too soon.”

“We honor his memory as a true hero who served our country with courage and dedication,” Ginther added.

Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat who represents Ohio’s 3rd Congressional District, spoke of the effects of war.

“War touches everyone, regardless of background or political affiliation,” Beatty told The Daily Signal. “Tech. Sgt. Simmons’ sacrifice will never be forgotten, and his legacy will live on through the lives he touched during his 28 years of life.”

All members were honored by a pilot in the Ohio airspace.

A pilot paid tribute to the three Ohio Air National Guardsmen who were among the six killed in a refueling aircraft crash in western Iraq. pic.twitter.com/yFczFrm0a8— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 22, 2026

A pilot paid tribute to the three Ohio Air National Guardsmen who were among the six killed in a refueling aircraft crash in western Iraq. pic.twitter.com/yFczFrm0a8

Beatty also shared concerns about the ongoing campaign against Iran.

“Trump’s unfettered action in Iran has already led to the death of approximately 13 brave service members,” Beatty said. “War has a real, genuine, cost.”

“That is why it’s imperative that Congress be involved in a decision of this magnitude. It is unacceptable that Trump has continually bypassed congressional approval,” she added.

Beatty has supported efforts in Congress for a War Powers Resolution on the Iran conflict.

Donald Trump was required to seek Congressional approval before striking Iran — but he didn’t. Now, his reckless actions have put American troops in danger, leaving them vulnerable to retaliation. The safety of Americans must come first: Congress must quickly vote on the War…— Rep. Joyce Beatty (@RepBeatty) February 28, 2026

Donald Trump was required to seek Congressional approval before striking Iran — but he didn’t. Now, his reckless actions have put American troops in danger, leaving them vulnerable to retaliation. The safety of Americans must come first: Congress must quickly vote on the War…

Taylor, meanwhile, expressed his support for Operation Epic Fury and called out “the Iranian regime of terror.”

“For too long, the Iranian regime of terror has threatened freedom around the globe, and I commend our fearless commander in chief and our courageous servicemembers for answering the call of duty,” Taylor said. “I stand resolutely behind our servicemembers and their families as we ensure America is the land of the free and home of the brave for generations to come.”

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