Tampa Community Mourns the Loss of MacDill Airmen

For more than 80 years, the South Tampa Chamber and the Tampa Bay community have stood beside the men and women of MacDill Air Force Base. We are devastated by the loss of three members of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, and we offer our deepest condolences to their families, loved ones, and fellow service members following the loss of a KC-135 Stratotanker during Operation Epic Fury on March 12, 2026.

The 99th Air Refueling Squadron is a geographically separated unit stationed at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, but functions administratively under the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

Read the press release from MacDill Air Force Base here.

The South Tampa Chamber continues to stand beside Team MacDill and all of our service members, today and every day. Many in our community have reached out asking how they can support our local military and the affected families. While additional opportunities for community support will be announced in the coming days and weeks, we ask that you keep these families in your thoughts as they navigate this incredibly difficult time.

Opportunities to support these families can be found at the links below:

Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt joined the United States Air Force in the spring of 2017, where she discovered her passion serving as a boom operator. Ashley was a dedicated leader who cared deeply about the Airmen she served alongside. She was a devoted wife to Greg and a loving mother to their three-year-old daughter, Emilia, and her stepson, Oliver. | Donate in honor of Ashley Pruitt here.

Captain Ariana Savino commissioned into the United States Air Force in September 2017 and proudly served as a KC-135 pilot. She was a dependable leader who always looked out for her fellow Airmen. Beyond her service, Ariana was a devoted sister and best friend to Kelaia and Zevin, and a loving mom to her dogs, Zoey and Piper, who were her whole world. | Donate in honor of Ariana Savino here.

Major Alex Klinner served in the United States Air Force for eight years. He was a devoted husband to Libby, and together they were raising three precious children: their two-and-a-half-year-old son and seven-month-old twins. | Donate in honor of Alex Klinner here.

For those at MacDill Air Force Base, counseling services are available through MacDill Military Family Life Counselors at 813-816-3061 or 813-210-7822. Chaplains are also available for support at 813-828-3621.