Trump Attends Dover Ceremony for Six Airmen Killed in Iraq Crash

President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend a dignified transfer ceremony on Wednesday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to honor six U.S. service members killed in the crash of a refueling aircraft during operations in Iraq.

The ceremony marks the return of the remains of the crew members, who died last week when their KC-135 Stratotanker went down in friendly airspace over western Iraq. The aircraft was supporting U.S. military efforts in the ongoing conflict with Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28. U.S. Central Command reported that the incident involved two aircraft but was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. The second plane landed safely, and investigators are examining the circumstances.

The six airmen hailed from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Washington state. Three were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida: Maj. John A. Alex Klinner, 33, of Birmingham, Alabama; Capt. Ariana Linse Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky. The other three belonged to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio:...