WASHINGTON — Charlie Kirk’s remains were brought back to his native Arizona on Thursday, escorted by Air Force Two as Vice President JD Vance paid tribute to the conservative figure with a final journey.

Alongside the plane, Vance’s spouse, Usha, disembarked with Kirk’s wife, Erika, both donned in black attire and sunglasses. The vice president followed closely behind, dressed in a dark suit.

Air Force Two touched down in Phoenix following a brief flight from Salt Lake City, approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) from Orem, Utah, where Kirk was tragically killed while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University.

Vance helped carry Kirk’s casket with a group of uniformed service members as it was loaded onto the plane.

On Wednesday evening, Vance shared on social media that his connection with Kirk was established several years ago after Kirk saw him on Tucker Carlson’s show on Fox News. Kirk reached out to express admiration, “and that act of kindness sparked a friendship.”

The previous year, Kirk campaigned for Vance to be Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick and often looked out for his family. Vance referred to him affectionately as “a true friend.”

Kirk was co-founder and CEO of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, based in Phoenix.

The vice president posted a long eulogy to Kirk, 31, on his personal X account late Wednesday evening. He recounted how the two connected in 2017.

“Charlie Kirk was a true friend,” Vance expressed in his post. “He was the kind of person you could confide in and trust completely. I’m part of several group chats with people that Charlie connected me to over the years. We share in life’s joyful events, tease each other, and support one another through the hardships.”

Vance explained that Kirk was the one who introduced him to some of the people who would run his Senate campaign and also to Donald Trump Jr.

“I was in a meeting in the West Wing when those group chats started lighting up with people telling Charlie they were praying for him.  And that’s how I learned the news that my friend had been shot. I prayed a lot over the next hour, as first good news and then bad trickled in,” Vance said. 

“God didn’t answer those prayers, and that’s OK. He had other plans. And now that Charlie is in heaven, I’ll ask him to talk to big man directly on behalf of his family, his friends, and the country he loved so dearly.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.