Governor Mike DeWine has ordered flags across Ohio to be flown at half-staff in honor of the three members of the Ohio National Guard who were killed during Operation Epic Fury.

In a Friday evening post on X, Governor DeWine said that he had been advised that three of the six servicemembers killed during a refueling mission in Iraq were Ohioans deployed with the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing. The governor offered his condolences to the guard members' families.

The military operation began February 28 when the U.S and partnering military forces struck Iran in an attempt to "dismantle its security infrastructure" according to a February press release from the U.S. Central Command. Since the start of the operation, the White House and Department of Defense has stated that the goal is to destroy Iranian offensive missiles, military infrastructure and missile production facilities in order to halt any nuclear advances in the country.

American flags atop all public buildings and grounds across the state will be lowered to "honor the life and service" of the fallen National Guardsmen, according to a statement from the Governor's office.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of the service-members' funerals.