Capt. Curtis J. Angst

Captain Curtis J. Angst, 34, was a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. He served as a crew member aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker, an aircraft designed for aerial refueling missions, which is critical for extending the range and endurance of other military aircraft.

On March 12, 2026, the KC-135 Stratotanker on which Angst was serving was involved in what the U.S. military described as an operational incident over western Iraq. The aircraft was reportedly supporting missions connected to Operation Epic Fury at the time. The exact nature of the incident was not immediately disclosed, and the U.S. Department of Defense stated an investigation was underway.

Angst's death occurred during the initial phase of a period of open hostilities between the United States, its allies including Israel, and Iran, which began in February 2026. Western Iraq was a significant location for U.S. and coalition air operations and logistics during this conflict.

Following the incident, the U.S. Air Force notified Angst's next of kin. A Pentagon press briefing confirmed the loss of the aircraft and crew, reiterating that details were pending the investigation's findings. No official public statements from the investigation have been documented at this time.

Captain Angst is memorialized on the U.S. Air Force's roll of honor for personnel killed in operational incidents. His service record reflects his role in a specialized and high-risk mission set essential to modern air combat operations.

Capt. Curtis J. Angst 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: Maj. Alex Klinner, Mohsen Mazloum, Pejman Fatehi, Vafa Azarbar.

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