President Donald Trump attended the dignified transfer of six aircrew members killed when their refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during the ongoing war with Iran. He was joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the nation’s top military officer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where the remains of fallen service members are returned to American soil.

The crash brought the number of United States troops killed in the joint military operation with Israel to at least 13. A second aircraft involved in the incident was damaged but landed safely. The ceremony was closed to the media at the request of the families, and photographs released by the White House showed Trump saluting as flag-draped coffins were carried from the plane.

It marked the second time since the conflict began that Trump has attended a transfer ceremony. His previous appearance drew criticism for his attire, which the White House dismissed as partisan attacks. Meanwhile, the war continues to escalate, with Iran launching missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region and disrupting global oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.