COLUMBUS, Ohio — Three Ohio Air National Guard airmen killed March 12 in a refueling aircraft crash in Iraq returned Sunday to central Ohio.
According to authorities, Capt. Curtis Angst, Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons and Capt. Seth Koval were among 6 Americans killed when an air tanker crashed in western Iraq while supporting Operation Epic Fury.
The three were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. Authorities said they were serving with 3 members of the 6th Air Refueling Wing from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, who also died.
According to U.S. Central Command, the crash occurred in friendly airspace, and investigators confirmed it was not due to hostile or friendly fire.
The airmen returned to Ohio through Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, where a flag-draped transfer took place, authorities said. A procession then traveled through central Ohio from the base to the east side of Columbus.
Witnesses reported motorcycles and vehicles lining the route as the procession passed.