Operation Epic Fury and Iran War Casualties

President Trump attended a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on March 7, 2026, joined by Vice President J.D. Vance, their spouses and senior officials, as the remains of six Army Reserve soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines — Maj. Jeffrey O'Brien, Capt. Cody Khork, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens and posthumously promoted Sgt. Declan Coady — were returned after an Iran‑linked drone strike at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait on March 1 during the opening days of the war with Iran. Trump called the fallen “great heroes,” described the losses as “very sad,” vowed to keep U.S. war deaths to a minimum and said he would not change his overall strategy in the campaign against Iran.