President Donald Trump will travel to Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday to honor six American service members whose lives were lost when their military refueling plane crashed in Iraq last week.
This marks the second occasion since beginning military action against Iran on February 28th that the Republican commander in chief will participate in the ceremonial return of fallen soldiers’ remains — a duty he has previously called the “toughest thing” about his presidential role.
The six crew members aboard the KC-135 Air Force tanker aircraft died when their plane went down over allied territory in Iraq’s western region during support missions targeting Iran. The fallen service members hailed from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Washington state.
This tragic incident has increased the death count in Operation Epic Fury to no fewer than 13 military personnel. Pentagon officials report that approximately 200 American troops have sustained injuries, with 10 cases classified as severe.
Trump previously visited Dover Air Force Base on March 7th for a similar ceremony honoring six service members who lost their lives in a drone attack on a Kuwait command facility. During that visit, he rendered military honors as caskets draped in American flags were transported from aircraft to vehicles bound for the base’s mortuary services.
Following that ceremony, Trump reflected on the difficult aspects of military leadership. “It’s the bad part of war,” he shared with media representatives. When questioned about the possibility of future visits for additional ceremonies as the conflict progresses, he responded, “I’m sure. I hate to do it, but it’s a part of war, isn’t it?”
Military officials from U.S. Central Command, responsible for Middle Eastern operations, reported that the aircraft went down after an undisclosed incident involving two planes in “friendly airspace” over Iraq. However, they clarified that the loss occurred during active duty operations and was “not due to hostile or friendly fire.” An investigation into the circumstances continues, while the second aircraft returned safely.
Three of the deceased were stationed with the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida: Maj. John A. “Alex” Klinner, 33, who served in Birmingham, Alabama; Capt. Ariana Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky.
The remaining three served with the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio: Capt. Seth Koval, 38, a resident of Stoutsville, Ohio, who was from Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, who lived in Columbus; and Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus.
