US Politics
Pentagon identifies first US troops killed in Iran war after Kuwait drone strike
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Read more
The Department of Defense has identified four of the six American service members killed in an Iranian drone strike, marking the first U.S. casualties of the conflict.
All were Army Reserve troops assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa.
The casualties include Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida.; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska.; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa.
They died Sunday in Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait, during an unmanned aircraft system attack, according to the Pentagon.
Donald Trump’s administration has not yet identified two other American service members who were killed in the conflict.
open image in gallery
Three service members were killed Sunday and five others were seriously wounded by shrapnel, U.S. officials announced. A fourth service member who was seriously wounded during the attack “eventually succumbed to their injuries,” according to U.S. Central Command.
Officials later announced that U.S. forces recovered the bodies of two other service members who are yet to be publicly identified.
Their names are expected to be released after their families have been notified.
The president said in a video on his Truth Social account Sunday that he expects additional casualties.
“Sadly, there will likely be more,” he said. “That’s the way it is. Likely be more.”
open image in gallery
U.S. troops killed in the attack in Kuwait — the first American deaths after the Trump-directed assault sparked chaos across the Middle East — reportedly had insufficient overhead cover when an Iranian drone smashed into a command center there.
The base along the Persian Gulf port allegedly did not have any hardened protection to deflect or minimize explosive force.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said air defense weapons at the facility were able to take down incoming threats but one “happened to hit a tactical operations center that was fortified.”
In a statement on social media Tuesday, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell refuted reports that the attack struck a “makeshift office space” at the facility and claimed “every possible measure has been taken to safeguard our troops — at every level.”
Hegseth and General Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offered their condolences to the service members’ families during a press conference Monday morning.
“Our deepest heartfelt condolences are with their families,” Hegseth said. “We will never forget you.”
“They’re heroes and represent the best … our nation has to offer,” Caine said. “They’re true examples of what selfless service means. Our deepest and heartfelt condolences are with their families, their friends and their units. We grieve with you, and we will never forget you.”
The Pentagon’s announcement of the service members’ names arrived amid reports of an Iranian ballistic missile striking a U.S. military base in Qatar, America’s largest in the Middle East.