America 250 Veteran of the Day
July 9, 2026
Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt
United States Air Force
KC-135 Stratotanker Crew
Operation Epic Fury
Born – October 15, 1991
Died – March 12, 2026
Quiet Professionals. Extraordinary Impact.
Every successful military mission depends upon men and women whose names may never appear in history books, but whose dedication makes every operation possible.
Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt was one of those Airmen.
On March 12, 2026, she was one of six members of a KC-135 Stratotanker crew supporting Operation Epic Fury when their aircraft was lost during a combat support mission over western Iraq.
She served without seeking recognition.
She served because others depended on her.
Excellence Every Day
Technical Sergeant Pruitt represented the backbone of the United States Air Force’s enlisted force.
She brought experience, technical expertise, discipline, and calm professionalism to every mission.
Those qualities are seldom celebrated in headlines, yet they are the reason complex missions succeed.
Every flight depended upon teamwork.
Every crew member trusted one another completely.
Service Beyond Self
The KC-135 fleet has extended America’s reach around the globe for generations.
Its crews enable fighter aircraft to defend allies.
Bombers to reach distant targets.
Humanitarian aircraft to deliver relief.
Medical evacuation flights to save lives.
Technical Sergeant Pruitt helped make all of those missions possible.
Her service reached far beyond the cockpit.
Reflection
The strongest foundations are often the least visible.
Yet without them, nothing else can stand.
Ashley Pruitt was part of that foundation.
Legacy
Technical Sergeant Ashley Brooke (Young) Pruitt, age 34, passed while serving her country during Operation “Epic Fury”. She was one of six service members who perished aboard a KC-135 air tanker that went down during the operation.
Born and raised in Bardstown, Kentucky, Ashley’s dedication to service began early. She was an active member of the Nelson County High School JROTC program throughout her high school years, where her commitment and leadership first took shape. She continued her path at the University of Louisville as part of the ROTC program before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 2017.
Ashley proudly served as a boom operator, a role she embraced with both precision and pride. Her assignments took her to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida; Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma; and Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama. Through her dedication and expertise, she rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant and became a boom instructor, mentoring and shaping the next generation of airmen. She was widely regarded as fierce, a true force of nature, and radiant—someone who could light up any room she entered. Her determination, paired with a genuine sincerity in how she carried herself, earned her trust and respect far beyond her rank.
While Ashley deeply loved her career and her country, nothing compared to the love she held for her family. She was a devoted wife and a deeply loving mother, and those closest to her knew she was living in her happiest chapter. Her strength, warmth, and unwavering devotion created a home filled with love and laughter.
Ashley was preceded in death by her brother, Joe Ray Young; her maternal grandparents, Joe and Corine Downs; and her paternal grandfather, Raymond Young. She is survived by her loving husband, Greg Pruitt; her daughter, Emilia; her stepson, Ollie; her parents, Patrick and Grace Young; her brother, Technical Sergeant Blake Young (Isa); and her paternal grandmother, JoAnn Myers (Gil).
Ashley’s life was one of purpose, courage, and deep love. She leaves behind a legacy of service and a family who will carry her spirit forward with pride. As one Chief Master Sergeant reflected, “she was the best of us.
As America celebrates its 250th Anniversary, we proudly honor Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt for her service, professionalism, and unwavering devotion to duty.
She reminds us that greatness is often found in those who quietly perform their responsibilities with excellence every single day.
Today we remember an Airman.
A teammate.
A professional.
An American.
The Micky Spano Radio Show proudly honors Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt, United States Air Force, as America 250 Veteran of the Day for July 9, 2026.
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