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Congress Introduces Zeus 95 Memorial Act to Honor Fallen Air Force Crew Members
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Key points
- Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Zeus 95 Memorial Act to honor six fallen Air Force crew members.
- The bill directs the creation of a permanent monument at or near Arlington National Cemetery.
- The monument commemorates airmen from MacDill Air Force Base and Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base who died during Operation Epic Fury.
NewsWK — Lawmakers in Washington are pushing to honor six fallen U.S. Air Force service members with a permanent tribute. Bipartisan members of Congress recently introduced the Zeus 95 Memorial Act. This legislation ensures the nation never forgets the crew’s ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.
What does the Zeus 95 Memorial Act mean for military families?
The proposed legislation honors the six Zeus 95 crash crew members who died during a refueling mission in Iraq. By establishing a permanent memorial, the bill provides grieving families with a dedicated place of national remembrance. This tribute ensures their bravery receives recognition.
Specifically, the crash took the lives of six dedicated airmen from two primary bases. The fallen crew members include:
- Maj. John A. Klinner of Auburn, Alabama
- Capt. Ariana G. Savino of Covington, Washington
- Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt of Bardstown, Kentucky
- Capt. Seth R. Koval of Mooresville, Indiana
- Capt. Curtis J. Angst of Wilmington, Ohio
- Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons of Columbus, Ohio
How will officials build the Arlington National Cemetery Zeus 95 monument?
The legislation directs the Secretary of the Army to place a monument at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The memorial will stand on a non-burial plot inside the cemetery. However, if space is unavailable, officials will construct it immediately outside the entrance.
Representative Kim Schrier of Washington introduced the House bill on September 24, 2026. Meanwhile, Senator Patty Murray introduced a companion bill in the Senate. Because the design process requires close coordination, the Secretary of the Army will work directly with the Secretary of the Air Force. Additionally, the plan secures funding for construction and long-term maintenance. Currently, the House bill resides with the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Armed Services.
Which units served on the MacDill Air Force Base Zeus 95 and Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base Zeus 95 teams?
The crew consisted of active-duty and Guard airmen from two key installations. Three crew members served with the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base Zeus 95 in Florida. Meanwhile, the other three belonged to the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Ohio. They flew out of Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base Zeus 95.
These brave service members united for a critical refueling mission in the Middle East. Consequently, their tragic loss impacted communities nationwide. This proposed Operation Epic Fury crash memorial represents a unified effort to honor their shared service.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Sources
Related: Federal Lawmakers Introduce ‘National Guard for National Service Act of 2026’
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