April 18, 2026 – Bayamón, Puerto Rico – In a posthumous tribute, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González-Colón, awarded the Governor’s Medal to Major Ariana G. Linse Sabino, one of six U.S. Air Force service members who lost their lives on March 12 in an aircraft accident in Iran. The Governor also presented the Puerto Rican flag to the family.
“Today is a sad and painful day. Today we mourn the loss of a daughter, a sister, a friend, a colleague—a Puerto Rican. A person who gave the utmost any officer can give: her life, her legacy, and her career. On behalf of the people of Puerto Rico, we extend our deepest condolences, and we commit to ensuring that her memory endures. As Governor, I recognize how difficult this moment is for all of us. Though many of us did not know her personally, we know of her character and her sacrifice. To her family, we say that we stand with you, we pray for you, and we share in your grief. This is the first time the Governor’s Medal has been awarded posthumously, and Ariana is truly deserving of this honor,” the Governor expressed to family members during funeral services held today at the National Cemetery.
The medal was accompanied by the following inscription: “Major Ariana G. Linse Sabino. Chief of Current Operations, United States Air Force, and pilot assigned to the 99th Air Refueling Squadron at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama. A daughter of Puerto Rico, distinguished by her extraordinary courage and unwavering devotion to the service of our Nation. Her life, given in service, stands as an enduring testament to the highest ideals of valor, sacrifice, and honor. With profound gratitude, the people of Puerto Rico cherish her memory and are inspired by her legacy of heroism. Awarded the GOVERNOR’S MEDAL FOR VALOR AND PATRIOTISM on April 18, 2026, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Jenniffer González-Colón, Governor of Puerto Rico.”
The funeral service concluded with a flyover by U.S. Air Force aircraft in honor of the fallen aviator.
The previous day, the Governor joined family members and Armed Forces personnel at Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Carolina for the dignified transfer of Major Linse Sabino’s remains.
Major Ariana G. Linse Sabino was born in 1994 in Orlando, Florida, and was 31 years old at the time of her passing. She had lived in Covington, Washington, since 1997.
She served as Chief of Operations Pilot for the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, part of the 117th Air Refueling Wing, based at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama.
She received her commission as an officer in 2017 through the ROTC program at Central Washington University. Prior to becoming a pilot, she served as a Combat Systems Officer (navigator) aboard the E-8C JSTARS, where she distinguished herself as both an instructor and evaluator. She held key leadership roles, including Flight Commander and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation. She earned her pilot wings in 2024 at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, qualifying to fly the KC-135 Stratotanker.
Major Linse Sabino accumulated a total of 348 flight hours, more than 300 of which were in combat, supporting operations such as Spartan Shield, Sentinel Sentry, and Epic Fury.
On March 12, she was one of six service members who died in a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft accident in Iran. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the crash was not caused by enemy action. The KC-135 Stratotanker is the U.S. Air Force’s primary aerial refueling aircraft.
Her promotions included Second Lieutenant (August 4, 2017), First Lieutenant (August 4, 2019), Captain (August 4, 2021), and posthumously to Major (January 23, 2026).
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