DOVER, DELAWARE: President Donald Trump traveled to Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday to attend a dignified transfer honoring two Iowa National Guard soldiers and a US civilian interpreter killed in Syria. The solemn ceremony followed a deadly attack in the Syrian desert on Saturday that claimed their lives.

Trump observed the transfer in silence alongside senior military officials and met privately with the families of the fallen as their remains were returned to the United States.

A dignified transfer unfolded in silence at Dover Air Force Base

The dignified transfer, one of the US military’s most solemn traditions, unfolded without speeches or public remarks. There is no formal role for a sitting president during the ceremony beyond bearing witness, a practice intended to keep the focus on the fallen service members and their families.

President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine, and other officials stood on the tarmac as flag-draped transfer cases were carried from a C-17 military aircraft to waiting vehicles.

Trump has attended several such ceremonies during his presidency and has previously described visits to Dover as “the toughest thing I have to do” as commander in chief.

The transfer cases were moved to the base mortuary, where the remains will be prepared before burial at their final resting places. The president arrived without first lady Melania Trump, who had been listed on the public schedule but did not attend.

US Army identified the fallen Iowa National Guard soldiers

The US Army identified the fallen service members as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown. Both were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment and were serving in eastern Syria as part of a US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group.

Families of both soldiers were present at Dover, joined by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, members of Iowa’s congressional delegation, and senior leaders from the Iowa National Guard. Following the ceremony, the remains were scheduled to be transported to Iowa.

Three other members of the Iowa National Guard were injured in the same attack, though the Pentagon has not publicly identified them.

US civilian interpreter was honored for service alongside troops

Also killed in the attack was Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a US civilian interpreter from Macomb, Michigan, who worked closely with American forces. His inclusion in the dignified transfer reflected his role and sacrifice alongside US troops.

In a statement, Sakat’s daughter, Dina Qiryaqoz, said her father had previously worked with the US Army during the Iraq War from 2003 to 2007. Sakat is survived by his wife and four adult children.

The deaths occurred amid ongoing US military operations in Syria

The fallen were among hundreds of US troops deployed in eastern Syria, where American forces continue to operate as part of an international coalition against the Islamic State group.

Saturday’s attack marked the first instance of US service members killed in action since January 2024, when three American troops died in a drone strike in Jordan.

The deaths came amid a delicate diplomatic moment, following a recent rapprochement between the United States and Syria. Trump has sought to recalibrate relations with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former insurgent leader involved in the ouster of Bashar Assad.

After meeting al-Sharaa at the White House last month, Trump said the Syrian leader was “devastated by what happened” and insisted the attack was not linked to him.