A Kentucky airman has been killed while supporting Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S./Israeli military operation against Iran.
The U.S. Department of War has confirmed that 34-year-old Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt of Bardstown was one of the six soldiers who “died on March 12, 2026, in the crash of a KC-135 in western Iraq.” The DOW says Pruitt was assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing based out of MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
In a post on Facebook, Nelson County Judge-Executive Tim Hutchins said: “My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt. Her unwavering commitment and selfless service to our nation will forever be celebrated. Her legacy here at home will be of courage and bravery. May her ultimate sacrifice forever inspire us all to cherish the freedom that we hold dear and to remember that freedom is not free.”
Governor Andy Beshear said in a Facebook post: “I am sad to share that Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt of Bardstown was one of the six service members killed in an aircraft crash in Iraq. Kentucky, please join Britainy and me as we pray for her family — and for the family of her fellow Kentuckian Sgt. Benjamin Pennington of Glendale — during this difficult time. They are two American heroes who called our commonwealth home.”
U.S. Central Command said in a social media post Friday that the aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace, and the crash was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. The DOW says the crash remains under investigation.
(Photo Credit: MacDill Air Force Base)
