And on Thursday, his casket was wrapped in an American flag as it was transported off a military plane onto the tarmac of Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, according to the U.S. Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operation.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

He confirmed that the French air force was involved in the operation, but gave no details.

BBC: France confirms Mali military intervention

The entire operation was part of Air Force Special Operations Command, but recently moved under the umbrella of Air Combat Command.

CNN: Quade: Secretive military team allows reporter inside