WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is set to pay his respects on Wednesday at a Delaware military base when the remains of six U.S. service members killed in a refueling aircraft crash are returned to their families.
It will be the second time since launching the war on Iran on February 28 that President Trump will attend the solemn military ritual known as a dignified transfer, which he once described as the “toughest thing” he has had to do as commander in chief.
All six crew members of a KC-135 Air Force refueling aircraft were killed last week in a plane crash over friendly territory in western Iraq while supporting operations against Iran. They hailed from various states, including Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Washington.
The tragedy has raised the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13 service members, with approximately 200 injured, 10 of them severely, according to the Pentagon.
Trump last visited Dover Air Force Base on March 7 for the dignified transfer of six service members killed by a drone strike in Kuwait. He saluted as flag-draped transfer cases were carried from military aircraft for their final journey.
Reflecting on the nature of war, Trump stated, “It’s the bad part of war,” acknowledging the emotional burden it brings. He expressed concerns over the potential for needing to make additional visits for transfers, stating, “I’m sure. I hate to do it, but it’s a part of war, isn’t it?”
U.S. Central Command has indicated that the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft but stressed it was not due to hostile fire. The circumstances surrounding the loss remain under investigation, emphasizing the unpredictability of combat missions.
It will be the second time since launching the war on Iran on February 28 that President Trump will attend the solemn military ritual known as a dignified transfer, which he once described as the “toughest thing” he has had to do as commander in chief.
All six crew members of a KC-135 Air Force refueling aircraft were killed last week in a plane crash over friendly territory in western Iraq while supporting operations against Iran. They hailed from various states, including Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Washington.
The tragedy has raised the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13 service members, with approximately 200 injured, 10 of them severely, according to the Pentagon.
Trump last visited Dover Air Force Base on March 7 for the dignified transfer of six service members killed by a drone strike in Kuwait. He saluted as flag-draped transfer cases were carried from military aircraft for their final journey.
Reflecting on the nature of war, Trump stated, “It’s the bad part of war,” acknowledging the emotional burden it brings. He expressed concerns over the potential for needing to make additional visits for transfers, stating, “I’m sure. I hate to do it, but it’s a part of war, isn’t it?”
U.S. Central Command has indicated that the crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft but stressed it was not due to hostile fire. The circumstances surrounding the loss remain under investigation, emphasizing the unpredictability of combat missions.
