Six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers Killed in Kuwait UAS Attack
Six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were killed on Sunday in an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) attack at a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. The Pentagon has identified all six casualties, who were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, an Iowa-based unit responsible for logistics support including food, fuel, water, ammunition, and equipment. The incident is currently under investigation.
The Incident
The drone strike occurred at a tactical operations center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attributed the attack to an Iranian weapon, stating it bypassed air defenses and the center's fortifications.
Concerns regarding the safety of personnel and facilities had been reported prior to the strike. Joey Amor, husband of Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, stated his wife had been relocated off-base a week before the attack to a shipping container-style building that he described as lacking defenses. This move was reportedly part of a dispersal effort due to concerns about a potential attack on the main base, with the belief that smaller groups in separate locations would be safer.
Unnamed officials were also reported to have discussed the suitability of the tactical operations center, questioning its use due to a concentration of U.S. troops in a location deemed difficult to defend.
The deaths occurred amidst heightened regional tensions, one day after the U.S. and Israel initiated a military campaign against Iran. Iran subsequently responded with missile and drone launches against Israel and several Gulf Arab states hosting U.S. forces.
Identified Casualties
The six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers killed in the attack have been identified as:
- Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. She was a mother of two and was days away from returning home. Sgt. Amor enlisted in the National Guard in 2005 as an automated logistics specialist and transferred to the Army Reserve in 2006. Her prior deployments included Kuwait and Iraq in 2019. She had received multiple awards and decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal and the National Defense Medal.
- Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa. He served for nearly 15 years in the Army Reserve and worked in cybersecurity. Maj. O'Brien is survived by his wife and children.
- Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California. He was believed to have perished at the scene of the strike.
- Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida. He enlisted in the Army Reserve and participated in Florida Southern College's ROTC program, holding a degree in political science.
- Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska. He was married with a son and was an instructor in Philippine Combatives and Taekwondo. Sgt. 1st Class Tietjens came from a military family and had previously served in Kuwait with his father. He is survived by his wife, son, and parents.
- Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa. He was posthumously promoted to sergeant from specialist. Sgt. Coady trained as an information technology specialist with the Army Reserves, was an Eagle Scout, and was pursuing a cybersecurity degree at Drake University with aspirations of becoming an officer.
Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll acknowledged the service and sacrifice of the individuals killed in the attack.