Presidents Cancels Event To Return Slain U.S. Soldiers

Canceling his scheduled event at US Interstate Moving Services for today, President Obama instead flew to Dover Air Force Base to attend the return of the bodies of 30 U.S. servicemen killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Saturday.

President Obama arriving at Dover Air Force Base. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

The dead servicemen included 22 Navy SEALs. Most were members of SEAL Team 6, the counterterrorism unit that carried out the mission to find Osama BinLaden.

None of those involved in the Bin Laden raid were among the dead Saturday, U.S. officials have said. The remains were returned to Dover in "unidentified" stautus until they are positively indentified by the Armed Forces Mortuary Affairs Office.

The Chinook helicopter crashed in the remote Tangi valley of Eastern Afghanistan. U.S. officials have said it was probably caused by insurgents firing a rocket-propelled grenade. The president had not announced publicly that he would visit Dover.

As mentioned, the president canceled his Springfield, VA appearance but opted instead to meet at the White House with industry leaders to talk about new fuel efficiency standards for work trucks, buses, and other heavy duty vehicles. In attendance was Rich Freeland, Vice President and President, Engine Business, Cummins; Dan Ustian, CEO, Navistar; Dennis Slagle, CEO, North American Trucks, Mack and Volvo; Tom Stover, Chief Technology, Vehicle Group, Eaton Corp; Governor Bill Graves; President and CEO, American Trucking Association, Martin Daum; and CEO, Daimler Trucks
Jed Mandel, President, Engine Manufacturers Association.

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