An Ohio Air National Guardsman with a “million-dollar smile” has been identified as the first of six service members who were killed when an Air Force refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq.
Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons, of Columbus, was on board the doomed US Air Force K-135 Stratotanker before it collided with another K-135 over the “friendly airspace” as part of Operation Epic Fury, his family announced Friday.
Simmons, 28, had spoken to his mom one day before his tragic death, where he had updated her on his deployment to the Middle East.
“He called me on Wednesday, and we were able to talk to him,” Cheryl Simmons told WSYX. “I was over here, and we actually had a beautiful conversation. I was like Tyler, how are you? He said I’m good. I’m good, but mother knows. He was having some challenges, you know, he told me they had been shot at, but he was okay.”
Simmons was assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Ohio’s Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base before being deployed to the Middle East as part of the military operations around Iran.
The Columbus-based unit revealed three of its airmen were killed in the crash in western Iraq.
“We share in the sorrow of their loved ones, and we must not forget the valuable contributions these Airmen made to their country and the impact they have left on our organization,” the 121st Air Refueling Wing said in a statement alongside a photo of a KC-135 with Ohio decals.
“Additionally, we ask that you respect the family’s wishes and provide them with space to mourn their loved ones during this difficult time.”
Simmons, a boom operator aboard the aircraft, was remembered by family for his personality and love for his job.
“He had a million-dollar smile. When people see my cousin, they’d be like, that smile is gonna take him places and it took him to his dream job,” Simmons’ cousin Tracy Peaks told WBNS.
“He was truly an amazing man, and to do the job as an air refueler is a special person. You have to be kinda smart to do that. He was loving. He loved his dog Grayson, he loved his family, his friends, Shayna, you know, he’s just that guy. He would do anything for you,” she added.
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Tributes from local leaders, including Ohio’s Gov. Mike DeWine, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) poured in for Simmons after he was identified by relatives.
“I have been advised by Ohio’s Adjutant General that three of the six servicemembers killed during the air refueling mission in Iraq were Ohioans deployed with the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing,” DeWine wrote on X. “Fran and I are deeply saddened by this news and offer our sincere condolences to their families.”
A local restaurant owner honored the fallen Air National Guard member by renaming a menu item for Simmons, after the TCU graduate would eat at the establishment once a week.
“Us at Latham’s Kitchen will truly miss your energy and smile we are changing our Grippo Sticky wings to ‘TYLER’S GRIPPO STICK.’ Thank (you) for your service you are a true HERO rest up king,” Sean Latham wrote on Facebook.
The identities of the remaining crewmembers were not revealed as the military was withholding their names for 24 hours after their next of kin were notified.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth lauded the fallen as heroes during a Pentagon news conference Friday.
“War is hell. War is chaos,” he said. “And as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen. American heroes, all of them.”
