Pentagon Releases Names of Four Killed in Drone Strike
The Pentagon has confirmed the names of four service members who were killed in a drone strike in Kuwait. The incident occurred on Sunday, just one day after the United States and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran. In response, Iran carried out retaliatory strikes.
All four soldiers were part of the Army Reserve and were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa. They were stationed at a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, when the attack took place.
The victims include:
- Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, from Winter Haven, Florida
- Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, from Bellevue, Nebraska
- Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, from White Bear Lake, Minnesota
- Spc. Declan J. Coady, 20, from West Des Moines, Iowa
Two other service members have been identified, but their names have not yet been released. Their remains have been located, but the process of identification is ongoing.
According to a source familiar with the incident, the command center was struck by a direct hit from a drone. The facility was described as a triple-wide trailer with office space inside, which was hit just after 9 am local time. There were no warnings or sirens to alert the troops, leaving them little time to evacuate or seek shelter. Hours after the attack, fire was still smoldering in parts of the building, and the walls had been blown outward due to the blast.
The command center had concrete barriers around it, which is standard for military structures overseas. However, these barriers were not sufficient to protect against drone or missile attacks, according to the source.
Three officials told CBS News that there had been discussions about whether the tactical operations center should have been used, given its vulnerability and the high concentration of personnel in a location that was not easily defensible.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, however, stated that the target was a “tactical operation center that was fortified.” He claimed only one projectile managed to bypass the air defenses.
The attack is currently under investigation. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump vowed to “avenge” the fallen soldiers, warning that more lives could be lost as the operation continues.
“America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against basically civilization,” Trump said from Mar-a-Lago on Sunday, hours after the blast.
He also praised the three service members as “true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, referred to the fallen soldiers as “the best that our nation has to offer” and “true examples of what selfless service means.” He expressed deep condolences to the families and friends of the service members.
“Our deepest and heartfelt condolences are with the families, their friends, and their units,” he said. “We grieve with you and we will never forget you.”
Personal Tributes and Memories
Friends and loved ones of the fallen have shared personal memories of the service members. One friend of Captain Khork’s posted on Facebook, reflecting on their long friendship:
“He has shaped me into the person that I am today. He knows more about me than anyone else and was the first person to answer my call, even when I called in the middle of the night. He’s helped me get through the hardest and lowest parts of my life and been there to celebrate the best. I’ve watched him support others and myself through the years when he had nothing to his name and never complained about it. That’s just the type of person he was. He went out doing what he loved, defending our freedom. RIP brother, Valhalla is waiting for you. We will see each other again.”
A friend of Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor described her as “a special person, a hell of a troop, and an amazing mom.” She had served in the National Guard since 2005 and later transferred to the Army Reserve in 2006. Amor was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019 and received numerous awards for her service.
Locals in Minnesota have organized a meal train to support her husband, Joey, and their two children, Adeline and Owen. In Nebraska, Governor Jim Pillen ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens. The governor expressed his condolences and urged people to pray for the Tietjens family and all military members serving in harm’s way.
