U.S. Senators Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno honored the Ohio Air National Guard members who died in a plane crash in western Iraq during their Senate floor speeches Tuesday.

Three Ohioans were killed on March 12 when a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in Iraq during a refueling mission, according to a March 14 statement from the Ohio Adjutant General's Department. All three were serving with the 121st Air Refueling Wing based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus:

• Capt. Seth Koval, 38, was an aircraft commander with 19 years of service. He lived in Stoutsville, Ohio. 
• Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, was a KC-135 pilot with 10 years of service. He lived in Columbus, Ohio.
• Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, was a boom operator with eight years of service. He lived in Columbus, Ohio. 

On the Senate floor, Moreno detailed the soldiers' sacrifice as a reminder of American freedoms.

"We enjoy the blessings of liberty every day, but on days like today it is important for us to remember why we can live with these liberties. It is because of the selfless sacrifice of young men and young women, but in this case, three young men, that gave their lives for that," Moreno said.

During his own remarks, Husted read statements from the fallen guardsmen's families and spoke about each of the three men. He finished his speech by offering thanks for the soldiers' service.

"These service members, alongside their three other brothers and sisters in arms, gave the last full measure of devotion to their country last week. I thank my colleagues for hearing their stories this evening, for honoring their service, for celebrating their lives and for mourning their loss alongside a grateful nation," Husted said.