The President and First Lady travel to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to participate in a solemn Dignified Transfer, honoring fallen U.S. service members making their final journey back to American soil.
The Fallen Service Members
The Department of Defense identified the returning soldiers as:
Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California
Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska
Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa
Dignified Transfer Ceremony at Dover Air Force Base
On Saturday, March 7, 2026, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. The solemn ritual paid tribute to six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers who lost their lives in the Middle East earlier in the week.
The six service members died on Sunday, March 1, 2026, during an Iranian unmanned drone strike at a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. The attack occurred shortly after the United States and Israel initiated military operations against Iran. All of the fallen were members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, an Army Reserve logistics unit based in Des Moines, Iowa, responsible for providing food, fuel, water, and equipment to troops.
Notable Attendees
During the transfer, protocol requires the Commander-in-Chief to remain silent and salute as the flag-draped transfer cases are carried from the military aircraft to awaiting vehicles. In addition to the President and First Lady, several key figures joined the grieving families to pay their respects, including:
Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Attorney General Pam Bondi
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles
Senators and governors representing the home states of the fallen soldiers
On March 7, 2026, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended a solemn dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. They were joined by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other key officials to honor six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The returning service members, all part of the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, were killed during an Iranian unmanned drone strike at a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, earlier in the week. The attack followed the onset of U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran.
In this video, we cover the details of the dignified transfer, the officials in attendance, and the ongoing military developments in the Middle East. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, Capt. Cody A. Khork, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, and Sgt. Declan J. Coady.
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Timestamps:
00:20 – President Trump Arrives at Dover Air Force Base
08:15 – Honoring the 103rd Sustainment Command
10:30 – Details of the Port Shuaiba, Kuwait Drone Strike
15:00 – Officials in Attendance (Vance, Hegseth, Gabbard)
20:20 – Ongoing Middle East Military Operations
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This footage captures the strict military protocol of the transfer, executed by a specialized Armed Forces carry team. We cover the official procedures on the tarmac, the role of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations facility, and the broader geopolitical context surrounding the recent deployments that led to this solemn movement.
In this video:
Arrival of the Commander-in-Chief and First Lady at Dover AFB.
The C-17 aircraft and the military carry team protocol.
Understanding the difference between a “Dignified Transfer” and a formal military ceremony.
Context and background on the service members’ recent overseas mission.
Stay completely up to date on U.S. military operations, defense protocol, and global political shifts by subscribing to DEFENSE NOW.
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Defense Now | March 2026
The President and First Lady participate in a Dignified Transfer Ceremony
Dover Air Force Base, DE
Film Credits: White House Communications Agency
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