In brief
On Wednesday, President Trump is set to participate in a dignified transfer ceremony for six U.S. service members who tragically died in a KC-135 aircraft crash in Iraq last week. This event comes amid ongoing military efforts in the region. The crash marks a solemn moment as the U.S. military's involvement continues, raising concerns about further casualties. A total of 13 service members have died under the current operation, while many others have been injured.
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.
It will be the second time since launching the war on Iran on Feb. 28 that the Republican president will attend the solemn military ritual known as a dignified transfer, which he described as the “toughest thing” he has done 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 Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Washington state.
The crash raised the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13 service members. Approximately 200 U.S. service members have sustained injuries, with 10 in severe condition, according to the Pentagon.
Trump last traveled to Dover Air Force Base on March 7 to conduct the dignified transfer of six service members who were killed by a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait. He saluted as flag-draped transfer cases containing the remains of fallen service members were carried from military aircraft to waiting vehicles for their final respects.
“It’s the bad part of war,” he mentioned to reporters afterward. When asked about future dignified transfers, Trump acknowledged the reality of war, saying, “I’m sure. I hate to do it, but it’s part of war, isn’t it?”
The U.S. Central Command stated that the crash resulted from an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace” over Iraq but clarified that the loss was “not due to hostile or friendly fire.” An investigation is currently underway. The other aircraft was able to land safely.
The crash resulted in the loss of three individuals assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida: Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33, from Birmingham, Alabama; Capt. Ariana Savino, 31, from Covington, Washington; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, from Bardstown, Kentucky.
The three other crew members belonged to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio: Capt. Seth Koval, 38, a resident of Stoutsville, Ohio, coming originally from Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, residing in Columbus; and Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, also of Columbus.
