[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H2679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CURTIS ANGST

  (Mr. Taylor of Ohio was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to solemnly honor the life of 
an American hero who gave his life in service to his country.
  On Thursday, March 12, 2026, while deployed as part of Operation Epic 
Fury, six crewmembers were killed when the U.S. Air Force KC-135 aerial 
refueling tanker crashed in Iraq's airspace. Two crewmembers were from 
our Buckeye State, and one was from my district: Captain Curtis Angst 
of Wilmington.
  Curtis was a standout student, earning honors from both Wilmington 
High School, where he graduated in 2014, and at the University of 
Cincinnati, where he earned a degree in aerospace engineering.
  Curtis had a great love for aviation, which began in his childhood. 
Curtis' mother, Lisa, remembers how Curtis would play with toy 
airplanes outside of his family's home. Curtis' father, Matt, was a 
private pilot and took Curtis up in the air for the first time when he 
was just a toddler. Lisa worked as a flight attendant for airlines, so 
Curtis seemed destined to take flight when he got older.
  Captain Angst was only 30 years old when he made the ultimate 
sacrifice. During his final mission, he was serving as a pilot for the 
166th Air Refueling Squadron at the 121st Refueling Wing at 
Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus. With a decade of 
service, Captain Angst had completed 880 flight hours and 67 combat 
hours, leaving behind a legacy of selfless service and a deep 
commitment to protecting our Nation.
  Earlier in his career, Captain Angst had also deployed in 2015 in 
Operation Spartan Shield and was responsible for flying worldwide for 
air refueling, aeromedical services, cargo transport, and passenger 
operations.
  Captain Angst leaves behind a loving wife, Mary. My heart goes out to 
her and the rest of Curtis' family as they navigate this unthinkable 
loss. This tragedy is a solemn reminder that freedom is not free and 
that we owe a debt of gratitude to Curtis and the other servicemembers 
who have given their lives in service to this country.
  I continue to stand resolutely behind our courageous servicemembers 
and their families as they prove time after time that America is the 
land of the free because of the brave.
  Captain Angst's service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. I 
salute Captain Angst for his courage and speak on behalf of southern 
Ohio when I say that he will be remembered as an American hero.
  My prayers and deepest condolences will continue to be with Captain 
Angst and his family in the months ahead.

                          ____________________