Trending Now - Trump Honors Six Fallen Service Members in Delaware

WHO:

President Donald Trump

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

House Speaker Mike Johnson

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, both Alabama Republicans

Retired Lt. Col Ernesto Nisperos, friend of one of the deceased service members

WHAT:

President Trump paid respects at Dover Air Force Base to six U.S. service members killed in a plane crash.

The crash involved a KC-135 Air Force refueling aircraft and occurred while supporting operations against Iran.

The U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury rose to at least 13 service members due to this incident.

Approximately 200 U.S. service members have been injured, including 10 severely.

The dignified transfer was closed to media coverage at the request of the families.

WHERE:

Dover Air Force Base, Delaware

Western Iraq

MacDill Air Force Base, Florida

Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio

WHEN:

The dignified transfer occurred on March 18th, 2026.

The crash happened the week prior to March 18th, 2026.

Trump last visited Dover Air Force Base on March 7th, 2026.

WHY:

The dignified transfer is a military ritual to honor fallen service members.

The crash was part of ongoing military operations against Iran, which began on February 28th, 2026.

HOW:

The dignified transfer involved the movement of flag-draped transfer cases containing the remains of the service members from military aircraft to vehicles for transport to the mortuary facility.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 23:16 UTC)

Last night, President Trump, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other dignitaries, paid respects at Dover Air Force Base to six U.S. service members who lost their lives in a plane crash while supporting operations against Iran. This tragic incident, which occurred last week, has raised the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13, with around 200 service members injured, including 10 severely. The dignified transfer, a solemn military ritual honoring the fallen, was closed to media coverage at the request of the families.