Staff Sgt. Kory Wade, 33, was assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.
Air Force Maj. Stephen Khou, 36, of Philadelphia, was deployed to Kuwait as an active duty cyber officer with Operation Inherent Resolve.
The pilot of the Fighting Falcon safely ejected and was taken to Fort Polk, according to the Louisiana State Police.
The southern California base is slated to start flying the tankers in 2025 and be fully operational by 2027.
