Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday announced that flags across Alabama will be lowered on the day of interment for fallen Air Force Major John A. “Alex” Klinner, following last week’s deadly military aircraft incident.
The directive comes after the March 12 tragedy in which six United States military personnel lost their lives when a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft crashed while operating over western Iraq in support of Operation Epic Fury.
According to the governor’s office, three of those killed were assigned to the 99th Air Refueling Squadron of the 117th Air Refueling Wing at Sumpter Smith Joint Air National Guard Base in Birmingham.
Among them was Major John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33, of Trussville, an eight-year Air Force veteran who served as chief of squadron standardization and evaluations.
The directive does not take effect immediately. Instead, flags will be lowered statewide once Klinner’s burial date is announced.
In an official memo issued Tuesday, Ivey said, “To honor these brave military personnel who gave their lives in service to our country, I am directing all flags be lowered on the day of interment of Alabama native Major John A. Klinner.”
The governor’s office said the directive will be updated once Klinner’s interment date is announced, which has not yet been publicly released as of Tuesday.
Major Klinner is survived by his wife, Libby, and their three young sons.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
