Birmingham mourns 3 airmen killed in Iraq refueling accident — How to help the families

The Birmingham community is coming together to honor the memory of three local service members following a tragic military aircraft accident in Iraq. Six U.S. airmen were lost in the crash, and three of them were stationed at Birmingham’s Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base.

Remembering our neighbors

The U.S. Department of War identified the three airmen stationed in Birmingham as:

• Major John “Alex” Klinner, 33: A pilot from Auburn, husband + father of three
• Captain Ariana G. Savino, 31: A pilot from Covington, Washington
• Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt, 34: An assistant flight chief from Bardstown, Kentucky, wife + mother of two

Though these airmen were part of a Florida-based wing at MacDill Air Force Base, they lived and worked full-time in Birmingham. They were part of an active-duty associate unit that partners directly with Birmingham’s own 117th Air Refueling Wing.

“They were not only outstanding Airmen. They were our neighbors — our fellow Alabamians. May their service and that of their families never be forgotten.”

Gov. Kay Ivey via Facebook

How the community is rallying

In true Birmingham fashion, the community has already begun showing overwhelming support for the families left behind:

• The Klinner Family: A verified GoFundMe has been established to assist Libby Klinner and her children. It has raised $1.3 million as of Monday, March 16 at 11AM.
• The Savino Family: Ariana’s coworkers also organized a GoFundMe for her family. A portion of the funds raised will go toward establishing a scholarship fund supporting Latina women in aviation. It’s raised $58,083 at time of publication.
• The Pruitt Family: A third GoFundMe was created for Ashley’s husband Greg and two children, Emilia and Oliver. It has raised $120,150 at time of publication.
• Community tribute: Local leaders, including Mayor Ben Short of Trussville, have encouraged Alabamians to keep all three families in their prayers as the investigation into the accident continues.

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