Trump to Pay Respects to 6 U.S. Service Members Killed in Middle East

The president will travel to Delaware to honor the fallen troops in a solemn military ritual.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 5:18pm

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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 will be the second time since launching the war on Iran on Feb. 28 that the president will attend the solemn military ritual known as a dignified transfer.

Why it matters

The crash that killed the six service members brought the U.S. death toll in Operation Epic Fury to at least 13, with about 200 service members injured, including 10 severely. Trump's attendance at the dignified transfer ceremony underscores the human cost of the ongoing conflict.

The details

The six crew members were killed last week in a plane crash over friendly territory in western Iraq while supporting operations against Iran. They were from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Washington state. The crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire, according to U.S. Central Command, but the circumstances are under investigation.

  • The crash occurred last week.
  • Trump will travel to Delaware on Wednesday to pay his respects.

The players

President Donald Trump

The president of the United States who will attend the dignified transfer ceremony.

U.S. Central Command

The military command that oversees operations in the Middle East and stated the crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire.

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What they’re saying

“It's the bad part of war.”

— President Donald Trump

“I'm sure. I hate to do it, but it's a part of war, isn't it?”

— President Donald Trump

What’s next

The circumstances of the crash are still under investigation by U.S. Central Command.

The takeaway

The president's attendance at the dignified transfer ceremony underscores the human toll of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as the U.S. death toll continues to rise with dozens more service members injured. This solemn ritual serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve in the military.