WASHINGTON – 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 the crash of a refueling aircraft are returned to their families.
This marks the second occasion since the initiation of military operations against Iran on February 28 that the Republican president will attend the solemn military ritual known as a dignified transfer. Trump has previously described this event as the “toughest thing” he has faced as commander in chief, underscoring the emotional weight of such ceremonies.
Tragically, all six crew members of a KC-135 Air Force refueling aircraft lost their lives last week during a crash over friendly territory in western Iraq while supporting operations against Iranian forces. The fallen service members hailed from diverse states, including Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Washington state, highlighting the national impact of this loss.
The crash has raised the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13 service members, with approximately 200 others injured, including 10 sustaining severe injuries, as confirmed by Pentagon officials. This incident brings to light the ongoing risks faced by military personnel deployed in conflict zones.
President Trump previously visited Dover Air Force Base on March 7 to attend the dignified transfer of six U.S. service members who were killed in a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait. During that solemn occasion, he saluted as flag-draped transfer cases containing the remains of the fallen were carried from military aircraft to awaiting vehicles, a moment imbued with deep reverence and sorrow.
After the March transfer, Trump remarked, “It’s the bad part of war.” Acknowledging the potential for future visits due to ongoing military operations, he expressed a heavy heart: “I’m sure. I hate to do it, but it’s a part of war, isn’t it?” These statements reflect the burden of leadership during wartime and the personal toll it takes on those in command.
According to U.S. Central Command, the recent crash occurred following an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace” over Iraq. However, they clarified that the loss of the KC-135 during a combat mission was “not due to hostile or friendly fire,” and investigations are currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. It was noted that the other aircraft involved managed to land safely.
Among those who perished in the crash were three members assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida: Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33, who served in Birmingham, Alabama; Capt. Ariana Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky. The other three service members were assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio: Capt. Seth Koval, 38, a resident of Stoutsville, Ohio, originally from Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, living in Columbus; and Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, also of Columbus.
