MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has ordered flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Major John A. “Alex” Klinner, a Trussville native and Alabama Air National Guard member killed last week in a military aircraft accident over Iraq.
The flag directive will take effect on the day of Maj. Klinner’s interment. Officials say the memo will be updated once that date is announced.
Klinner, 33, was one of six U.S. military personnel killed Thursday, March 12, when their KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft went down over western Iraq while supporting Operation Epic Fury. Three of the six were assigned to the 99th Air Refueling Squadron of the 117th Air Refueling Wing at Sumpter Smith Joint Air National Guard Base in Birmingham…