Capt. Seth R. Koval

Captain Seth R. Koval was an officer in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to a crew operating a KC-135 Stratotanker, an aircraft used for aerial refueling.

On March 12, 2026, the KC-135 Stratotanker to which Koval was assigned was involved in an in-flight incident over western Iraq. The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed his death, stating the circumstances were under investigation. No further details about the nature of the incident were immediately released.

Koval's death occurred during a period of heightened military activity in the Middle East, following the outbreak of open hostilities between a U.S.-led coalition, including Israel, and Iran in February 2026. KC-135 aircraft are critical for extending the range and endurance of combat aircraft involved in such operations.

The Department of Defense announced Koval's death in a press release. He was the first publicly named U.S. service member to die in the conflict that year. Official statements expressed condolences to his family and fellow airmen.

Captain Koval's service record and the specific details of his final mission have not been made public. His death underscored the inherent risks of aerial refueling operations, which are a foundational but hazardous component of modern air power.

Capt. Koval was killed during the US - Israel War on Iran (2026–2026). The conflict concluded in November 2026. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: The Schoolgirls of Minab ? 165 Victims, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Sgt. Declan Coady, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor.

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