Trump, Hegseth pay final tribute to 6 airmen killed in Iraq KC-135 crash
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump joined senior US officials on Wednesday, March 18, to attend a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for six service members killed in a military aircraft crash.
The ceremony, which was not televised, honored the airmen who died during a recent mission connected to operations in the Middle East.
Among those present were Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz. The event marked a formal return of the fallen troops to US soil.
HEARTBREAKING: The Department of War has released the names of the six U.S. Air Force service members who perished when their KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq on March 12 during Operation Epic Fury.
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) March 15, 2026
Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, Auburn, AL
Capt.… pic.twitter.com/sTGGmIsC97
Leaders attend ceremony honoring fallen airmen
The dignified transfer recognized six US Air Force personnel who were killed in a KC-135 Stratotanker crash the previous week.
The Pentagon identified the service members as Maj John A Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Capt Ariana G Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; Tech Sgt Ashley B Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky; Capt Seth R Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana; Capt Curtis J Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech Sgt Tyler H Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio.
Dignified transfers are a long-standing military tradition in which the remains of fallen service members are returned to the United States with formal honors.
The ceremonies are typically held at Dover Air Force Base, a key site for receiving US military personnel killed overseas.
The presence of top government officials underscored the significance of the loss, as the US continues military operations linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
While such ceremonies are sometimes open to media coverage, this transfer was conducted privately.
Investigation underway after deadly KC-135 crash in Iraq
The US military’s Central Command confirmed that all six service members were killed when an aerial refueling aircraft operating in support of missions against Iran crashed in western Iraq.
"The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," CENTCOM said in its statement.
Four Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over Iraq
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 13, 2026
TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue.
The…
The crash occurred near Turaibil, along the Iraqi-Jordanian border. US officials have indicated that the incident may have involved a midair collision, though investigations are ongoing.
"War is hell, war is chaos, and as we saw yesterday with the tragic crash of our KC-135 tanker, bad things can happen," Hegseth said. "American heroes, all of them."
Air Force Gen Dan Caine said the crew was flying over friendly territory while on a combat mission when the crash occurred.
"Please keep these brave airmen, their families, friends and units in your thoughts in the coming hours and days," Caine said.
"Our service members make an incredible sacrifice to go forward and do the things that the nation asks of them. It's a reminder of the true cost of the dedication and commitment of the joint force," he added.
