The people killed in the Syria incident were:
They died on December 13, 2025, in or near Palmyra, Syria. According to U.S. and Iowa National Guard statements, they were conducting a key leader engagement in support of counter‑ISIS and counter‑terrorism operations when they came under attack by hostile forces, described by U.S. officials as an ambush by a single ISIS gunman. All three died from injuries sustained while engaging those hostile forces; three other Iowa National Guard soldiers were wounded.
A “dignified transfer” is the solemn process of moving the remains of a fallen service member from the arriving aircraft to a waiting vehicle when they first return to the United States, usually at Dover Air Force Base. A carry team from the person’s own military service, led by a senior officer, silently carries the flag‑draped transfer case off the plane and into the vehicle, which then takes the remains to the mortuary at Dover for identification and preparation for burial. Families may attend; media access is allowed only with the family’s consent.
The president and senior military leaders attend dignified transfers to represent the nation and the military chain of command in honoring those who have been killed. Their presence signals that the deaths are a matter of national importance, offers direct support to the families, and shows respect on behalf of the government and the services that ordered and led the mission in which the casualties occurred.
Pete Hegseth, titled “Secretary of War” in this administration, is the civilian head of the Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense). He is the president’s principal adviser on war and defense policy and has ultimate authority over the U.S. military’s policies, operations, and budget, subject to law and congressional oversight—essentially the same powers previously held by the Secretary of Defense, with only the department’s name and job title changed.
Dover Air Force Base, through Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, is the U.S. military’s sole “port mortuary” in the continental United States. Almost all U.S. service members who die overseas are flown there first. At Dover, their remains receive a dignified transfer from the aircraft, are examined by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner for identification and cause of death, are embalmed and prepared for burial, and their uniforms and personal effects are readied before they are sent on to their families or final resting place.
The casualties occurred while they were deployed to Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led mission against ISIS. U.S. and Iowa officials said they were on a key leader engagement as part of ongoing counter‑ISIS and counter‑terrorism operations near Palmyra when they were attacked and killed.
Yes. The Army has already issued an official casualty release, and it states that the incident is under investigation. In cases like this, the military typically publishes at least brief follow‑up statements once investigations are complete, though detailed findings may remain classified, so it is unclear how much additional information will eventually be released publicly.