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 the crash of a refueling aircraft are returned to their families.
This solemn event will mark the second timeTrump will attend a dignified transfer since the commencement of the war on Iran on February 28. He previously described such duties as the “toughest thing” he has had to do as Commander-in-Chief.
Last week, the crash involving a KC-135 Air Force refueling aircraft resulted in the deaths of all six crew members. The service members hailed from various states including Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Washington.
The incident has raised the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13. Additionally, around 200 service members have been reported injured, with 10 sustaining severe injuries, as stated by the Pentagon.
President Trump last attended a dignified transfer on March 7 for six soldiers killed by a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait. He honored them as their flag-draped transfer cases were taken from military aircraft to vehicles awaiting to transport them to the mortuary.
“It’s the bad part of war,” Trump stated afterward, acknowledging the grim responsibilities of his role that include making multiple trips for such ceremonies. He expressed his feelings about future dignified transfers, saying he “hates” having to perform them but recognizes they are part of the military's realities during wartime.
U.S. Central Command has confirmed that the recent crash followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in 'friendly airspace' over Iraq, clarifying that it was not due to hostile or friendly fire, and the circumstances leading to the crash are still under investigation.
The crash claimed three members of the 6th Air Refueling Wing based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, identified as Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33; Capt. Ariana Savino, 31; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34. The remaining three members belonged to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio.
