WASHINGTON, D.C. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met privately on March 18, 2026, with Charles Simmons and other families of six service members killed in the Iran war at Dover Air Force Base during a dignified transfer ceremony. Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, was among six crew members killed when a refueling plane crashed in Iraq the week before March 19, 2026.

Charles Simmons, a music teacher and father of the fallen airman, said he spoke separately to Hegseth and President Donald Trump at Dover Air Force Base. "I can't speak for the other families. When he spoke to me, that was not something we talked about," Simmons said. He said his conversation with Hegseth focused on his son's service record and rapid advancement in the military.

Simmons said he was grateful for the warmth that Hegseth and Trump showed him during the meetings. "I understand there's a lot of peril that goes into making decisions like this, and I just certainly hope the decisions being made are necessary," he said. "Who wants war? Sometimes it's a necessity, and I just don't know what's going on."

"What I heard through tears, through hugs, through strength and through unbreakable resolve was the same from family after family," Hegseth said. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth has the utmost respect for Gold Star families and pledged to honor the sacrifice of their loved ones. "While at Dover, the Secretary spoke with each family of our fallen heroes and the details of each individual conversation remain private," Parnell said.

President Trump met on March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base with families of six service members whose bodies were returned during a dignified transfer ceremony. During a dignified transfer, families arrive at the air base to retrieve remains in flag-draped containers. Families participating may choose to meet face-to-face with the president, vice president, or other senior officials.

Simmons said Trump teared up and hugged him during their meeting. He said he came away from Dover with a better impression of Trump and Hegseth than he had before.

Simmons last spoke to his son the day before the refueling plane crash. His son told him that he loved him. Tyler H. Simmons hoped to become a commercial airplane pilot after eventually retiring from the military.

"Tyler had a magnetic personality. Never met any strangers. He'd walk into the room, and it would be immediately illuminated," Simmons said.