President Trump participated Saturday in a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base for six U.S. service members killed in the opening days of the war with Iran. He was joined by first lady Melania Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff.
The Defense Department identified the fallen as Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39; Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20; Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45; and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54.
“I’m glad we paid our respects,” Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after the transfer. “It’s a tough situation … great people, great parents, wifes, families.” He said the parents were proud and described the war as going “unbelievably” and “as good as it can be.” When asked if he might have to return to Dover for more transfers, he replied, “…I’d hate to do it, but it’s a part of war, isn’t it? Wouldn’t you say it’s a part of war? It’s the sad part of war, the bad part of war.”
The six died in an unmanned aircraft system attack in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, on March 1, the Pentagon said. All served with the 103rd Sustainment Command, based in Des Moines, Iowa, a unit that provides food, supplies and logistics support.
Upon arrival at Dover, Mr. Trump was met by officials including Col. Jamil Musa, commander of the 436th Airlift Wing, and Col. Martha “Jeannie” Sasnett, commander of Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations. Earlier in the day, while speaking to Latin American leaders in Miami, Mr. Trump called the soldiers’ deaths a “very sad situation” and noted they were “coming home in a different manner than they thought they’d be coming home,” adding, “But they’re great heroes in our country, and we’re going to keep it that way.”
The dignified transfer, which returns the remains of service members killed in action, is considered one of the most solemn duties for a commander in chief. Mr. Trump has previously called participating in such transfers the toughest responsibility of the presidency.
After the ceremony at Dover, Mr. Trump was scheduled to return to Mar-a-Lago.