WASHINGTON: The widow of US Air Force Maj. Alex Klinner will receive at least some combat-related benefits after initially being told her family was ineligible because the conflict with Iran was “not technically a war.”
Klinner, 33, was among six service members killed when a KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed in Iraq in March. His widow, Libby Klinner, publicly challenged the benefits decision, arguing that her husband had died while serving during an armed conflict.
The Air Force subsequently acknowledged that she had received inaccurate information, according to Klinner.
Air Force Clarifies Hazard Pay and Tax Benefits
Klinner said officials later informed her that her husband’s final paycheck included combat-related hazard pay and tax benefits, although authorities had incorrectly itemised them.
Combat pay provides US service members with an additional $225 per month under qualifying circumstances and does not require Congress to have formally declared war.
Meanwhile, the dispute attracted attention from Vice President JD Vance, who promised during a White House briefing to examine Klinner’s case and ensure that she received everything to which she was entitled.
However, Vance rejected describing the Iran conflict as a “war,” arguing there was no active shooting at that time.
Crash Killed Six US Service Members
Maj. Klinner died alongside Ariana Savino, Ashley Pruitt, Seth Koval, Curtis Angst and Tyler Simmons in the KC-135 crash.
The incident occurred amid US military operations connected to the conflict with Iran.
Moreover, Klinner left behind his wife and three children. A GoFundMe campaign established for the family after his death has raised more than $1.5 million.
The dispute has highlighted questions surrounding how combat-related benefits apply to military personnel serving in conflicts that have not received a formal declaration of war.
