'The toughest thing': Trump mourns 6 heroes killed in Kuwait as remains return to Dover
DOVER, DELAWARE: President Donald Trump participated in a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on Saturday, March 7, to honor six US service members killed during the initial stages of the conflict with Iran.
The solemn ritual, held at the military's primary mortuary facility, marked the return of the fallen to American soil following a fatal attack in the Middle East.
A C-17 military aircraft carrying the transfer cases arrived at the base Saturday afternoon. President Trump was joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to witness the return of the remains.
President calls dignified transfers 'the toughest duty'
.@POTUS and @SecWar arrive at Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer of the six American heroes killed in Operation Epic Fury 🙏🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/HLxCVVMB7D
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 7, 2026
Upon landing in Delaware, the president was greeted by high-ranking military officials, including Col Jamil Musa, commander of the 436th Airlift Wing. Also present was Col Martha "Jeannie" Sasnett, commander of Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, who assisted with the arrival.
The president had previously described participating in dignified transfers as "the toughest thing" he had to do as commander in chief.
Pentagon identifies six fallen US service members
President Trump and the First Lady honor the fallen at Dover Air Force Base 🙏
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) March 7, 2026
May God bless these brave heroes and their families 🇺🇸
Capt. Cody Khork
Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor
Sgt. Declan Coady
Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien
Chief Warrant Officer 3… pic.twitter.com/pJiBXLuRMO
The Department of Defense officially identified the six fallen service members as Maj Jeffrey O'Brien, 45; Capt Cody A Khork, 35; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M Marzan, 54; Sgt 1st Class Noah L Tietjens, 42; Sgt 1st Class Nicole M Amor, 39; and Sgt Declan J Coady, 20.
All six individuals were members of the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa. The unit was responsible for providing critical logistics support, including food and supplies, to US military forces.
Fatal drone strike in Port Shuaiba
Trump says there’s always casualties when it comes to war “but we’re going to keep it to a minimum”
— Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) March 7, 2026
“I'll be leaving for Dover, very sad situation to greet the families of the heroes coming home from Iran, coming home in a different manner than they thought they'd be coming… pic.twitter.com/oyBIRZpTPF
The Defense Department confirmed that the service members died during an unmanned aircraft system attack on Sunday, March 1. The strike targeted Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, during the early days of the conflict with Iran.
Earlier on Saturday, while speaking at a summit in Miami, President Trump described the loss as a "very sad situation."
He noted that the soldiers were coming home in a "different manner" than they had expected, but affirmed they would be remembered as "great heroes."
