Alex Klinner killed in the line of duty
An Oklahoma State graduate from Alabama was one of six people killed when an aerial refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq.
Maj. John ‘Alex’ Klinner was a 2016 graduate of Auburn University who earned his master’s degree from the OSU Spears School of Business in 2025, according to a message posted to X on Tuesday morning.
Alex and his wife, Libby, have a two-and-a-half-year-old and a pair of seven-month-old twins, per this report from AL.com.
How you can help Alex Klinner’s family
Alex’s sister-in-law, Sarah, started a GoFundMe for Libby and the kids. In it she wrote:
We are raising funds for my sister, Libby Klinner, as she navigates the unimaginable loss of her husband, Alex.
Alex proudly served our country as a Major in the United States Air Force for eight years. He was recently deployed in support of Operation Epic Fury, and on March 12, 2026, Alex made the ultimate sacrifice when his KC-135 plane crashed in western Iraq while serving his country.
Alex was more than a serviceman. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and the kind of person who would quietly step in to help anyone who needed it. He embodied what it means to be a servant leader. His loss has left an immeasurable void in the lives of all who knew and loved him.
Read the full statement on their GoFundMe page, which has surpassed $1.3M in giving as of Tuesday midday.