Captain Curtis Angst, 30, of the Ohio Air National Guard was killed March 12 when a refueling aircraft crashed in the Middle East, one of six service members who died. His family attended a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on March 18, where they met senior officials who offered condolences. Wilmington neighbors have rallied with meals, flowers and plans to plant a memorial tree while the family copes with grief and limited information about his mission.
Ohio Family Mourns Guard Pilot Curtis Angst — One of Six Killed in Middle East Refueling Plane Crash
Air Force Capt. Curtis Angst, a pilot with the 121st Air Refueling Wing, pilots a KC-135 Stratotanker during a refueling of an F-16 Fighting Falcon over the Pacific Ocean on July 17. (Staff Sgt. Ivy Thomas / U.S. Air National Guard 121st Air Refueling Wing)(Staff Sgt. Ivy Thomas)
Captain Curtis Angst, 30, an Ohio Air National Guard refueling pilot and lifelong aviation enthusiast, died March 12 when the refueling aircraft he was crewing crashed in the Middle East. He was one of six service members killed in the incident. His family, friends and community in Wilmington, Ohio, continue to grieve while officials offered condolences during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on March 18.
Angst with his wife, Mary, left, and sister, Jessica. (Courtesy of the Angst family)(Courtesy of the Angst family)
Background and Career
Curtis grew up surrounded by aviation: his mother, Lisa, was a flight attendant and his father, Matt, a private pilot and aircraft mechanic. He graduated with honors from his local high school and earned an aerospace engineering degree from the University of Cincinnati. Curtis joined the Air National Guard in 2015 and most recently served with the air-refueling squadron at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus.
Angst at his graduation at the University of Cincinnati. (Courtesy of the Angst family)(Courtesy of the Angst family)
Dover Transfer and Official Condolences
The Angst family attended a private dignified transfer at Dover on March 18, where they met President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and senior military leaders. Family members described the officials as kind and consoling; the ceremony was intended to honor the fallen and return their remains to the United States with ceremony and care.
Capt. Curtis Angst. (Courtesy of the Angst family)(Courtesy of the Angst family)
"They thanked him for his service and his dedication and that the ultimate sacrifice was his life for freedom," Lisa Angst told reporters. "Their condolences just warmed my heart."
Community Response
The Wilmington community has rallied around Curtis' wife Mary, his sister Jessica and his parents. Neighbors have brought flowers and an outpouring of food — homemade soups, ribs, quiche, salads and baked goods — and a local group is raising funds to plant a memorial tree in the family yard.
Family Perspective and Operational Limits
Operational security limited what Curtis could tell his parents about his assignment. Before his final mission he spoke with family but could not share details about location or operations. His parents expressed pride in his service and hope that the broader conflict — which escalated after events beginning Feb. 28 — will be resolved and service members brought home safely.
Remembering Curtis
Curtis is remembered as curious, outgoing and exceptionally bright, with a remarkable memory and a lifelong love of aircraft. He proposed to his high-school sweetheart Mary during a hike in Utah and leaves behind a close-knit family and community that admired both his professional promise and personal warmth.
Officials' Statements: White House and Pentagon spokespeople praised the fallen aircrew and emphasized the mission; family members at Dover urged leaders to honor the sacrifice of their loved ones.
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