(WAVE/WKYT) – Family, friends, fellow servicemembers and the Nelson County community are mourning the loss of Bardstown native, Technical Sgt. Ashley Pruitt.
The 34-year-old was one of six airmen who died in Iraq on an air refueling mission aboard a KC-135 in cooperation with Operation Epic Fury.
Sgt. Pruitt entered the U.S. Air Force in 2017, and since then, she had served four deployments, in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2026. She was a member of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron stationed in Birmingham, Alabama that functioned under the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
Sgt. Pruitt was an Assistant Flight Chief of Operations and a KC-135 Instructor Boom Operator. According to USAF, “she oversaw aircrew readiness, training, and flight operations while instructing boom operators on sir refueling procedures to ensure safe, effective global mobility and combat airpower projection.”
A GoFundMe has been created to support Sgt. Pruitt’s family. It says she was a devoted wife to her husband Greg, and a loving mother to their three-year-old daughter, Emilia, and her stepson, Oliver.
“She worked hard for the family she always wanted and cherished them all. Ashley’s loss leaves an unimaginable hole for her family, friends, and fellow Airmen,” the GoFundMe says.
If you’d like to support Sgt. Pruitt’s family, click here.
Before her service to the U.S. military, she had already gained a reputation as someone of exemplary character.
Sgt. Pruitt is a graduate of Nelson County High School, where she grew into a leader under the Air Force JROTC program. Her former instructor, Col. Donna Lucchese, penned the following tribute:
“She was a true patriot and hero. Ashley lived her life with goodness, purpose, and service. Ultimately, she gave her life in selfless service to her country. You have to imagine the complexities and risks associated with aerial refueling; this is what Ashley and her team did all of the time, all over the world, to be able to achieve global reach for our United States Air Force.
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During her four years at NCHS, she served in the Air Force Junior ROTC Program to fulfill her commitment to serve her country in the United States Air Force.
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These words, on paper, truly don’t capture the absolute devotion she had to ultimately serve in the Air Force, but if you knew her, you saw and felt that devotion.
Her performance in JROTC was stellar. As a freshman, she took ownership of this AFJROTC program and became a part of a small, core group of cadets that built the foundation for the Nelson County AFJROTC unit to be a highly successful program for years to come. She knew how to create and lead a winning team. She was one of the unit’s top decorated cadets with unit and national awards because of her leadership, positive can-do attitude, academic accomplishments, and service to the community. She had close to 400 community service hours when she graduated high school. Here is just one example of her exemplary character: She won the local VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Contest and was awarded $275. At the award dinner the VFW talked about a project to help homeless veterans. She decided that the homeless vets needed the money more than she did and asked that it be given to help them instead. That’s who she was…compassionate, giving, and selfless.
Ashley was an exceptional student, JROTC cadet, airman, and human being. She was a go-getter who worked hard, always gave her best, and showed a commitment and dedication beyond measure. An impressive young woman, she embodied the Air Force Core Values of Integrity First, Excellence in All We Do, and Service before Self. While Ashley’s service makes us so very proud, her sacrifice is a tremendous loss for her family and friends, her community, the Air Force, and this country.”
The City of Bardstown also issued a tribute:
“Sgt. Pruitt was a true patriot and hero to the citizens of Bardstown and Nelson County. We stand in solemn gratitude for her service and sacrifice. Our deepest prayers remain with her family, her friends, and the loved ones of the fellow service members lost in this tragic accident.”
Tributes for local politicians have poured in since Sgt. Pruitt was identified in the crash.
State Sen. Jimmy Higdon and Rep. Candy Massaroni released a joint statement:
“Ashley demonstrated the courage, dedication and sense of duty that define the men and women of America’s armed forces. She answered the call to serve and represented Kentucky with honor.
“The sacrifice made by Ashley and her fellow servicemembers is a powerful reminder that the freedoms we enjoy at home are safeguarded by brave Americans willing to place themselves in harm’s way. Her service reflects a deep commitment to something greater than herself. We express our heartfelt sympathy to Ashley’s loved ones, friends and fellow Airmen, as well as the whole Bardstown community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this tragic time.
“We join all of Kentucky and America in remembering Ashley’s bravery and love for our country. Our nation is forever indebted to her for her service and sacrifice.
“The people of Bardstown, Nelson County and Kentucky are blessed to call her one of our own. Our hearts go out to her family and friends as we celebrate a life that was dedicated to serving our nation.”
U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-Kentucky) also issued a statement:
“My heart is heavy, and our prayers are with her loved ones. We’ll always remember her service and sacrifice.”
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his condolences on his social media Sunday morning.
Kentucky, please join Britainy and me as we pray for her family — and for the family of her fellow Kentuckian Sgt. Benjamin Pennington of Glendale — during this difficult time. They are two American heroes who called our commonwealth home. 2/2
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) March 15, 2026