Trump to Pay Respects to 6 US Troops Killed in Middle East Crash

President to Attend Dignified Transfer Ceremony at Delaware Military Base

Mar. 18, 2026 at 3:54pm

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President Donald Trump is set to travel to a Delaware military base on Wednesday to pay his respects as the remains of six U.S. service members killed in the crash of a refueling aircraft in the Middle East are returned to their families. This will be the second time since the start of the war with Iran that Trump has attended the solemn military ritual known as a dignified transfer.

Why it matters

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

The details

The six crew members were killed last week when their KC-135 Air Force refueling aircraft crashed over friendly territory in western Iraq while supporting operations against Iran. The victims were from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Washington state. The circumstances of the crash are under investigation, but military officials said it was not due to hostile or friendly fire.

  • The crash occurred last week.
  • Trump will attend the dignified transfer ceremony on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

The players

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States who will be attending the dignified transfer ceremony.

U.S. Central Command

The military command that oversees operations in the Middle East and is investigating the circumstances of the aircraft crash.

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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 aircraft crash are still under investigation by U.S. Central Command.

The takeaway

President Trump's attendance at the dignified transfer ceremony underscores the human toll of the ongoing conflict with Iran, as the U.S. death toll continues to rise. This solemn ritual serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by American service members in the line of duty.