Listen to the article
Department of War Identifies Four Soldiers Killed in Kuwait Drone Attack
The Department of War on Monday released the identities of four of the six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers killed in a March 1 drone attack in Kuwait while supporting Operation Epic Fury. Officials confirmed that the incident remains under investigation.
The attack occurred at the Port of Shuaiba when an unmanned aircraft system struck U.S. forces. All casualties were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, a unit responsible for providing critical logistical and operational support to American military operations overseas.
The identified fallen service members include Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Lakeland, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa. Military officials have not yet publicly released the names of the two additional soldiers killed in the attack.
“We honor our fallen Heroes who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, chief of Army Reserve and commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve Command. “Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten.”
The attack represents one of the most significant losses of American military personnel in the Middle East in recent years, highlighting the increasing dangers faced by U.S. forces supporting operations in the region.
Capt. Khork had a distinguished military career spanning 15 years. He enlisted in the National Guard in 2009 as a multiple launch rocket system/fire direction specialist before commissioning as a military police officer in the Army Reserve in 2014. His service included deployments to Saudi Arabia in 2018, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, in 2021, and most recently to Poland earlier this year. His awards included the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 10-Year Device and “M” Device.
Sgt. 1st Class Amor began her military service in 2005 with the National Guard as an automated logistics specialist before transferring to the Army Reserve the following year. She deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019 and earned multiple commendations throughout her 19-year career, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device.
Sgt. 1st Class Tietjens joined the Army Reserve in 2006 as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. During his 18 years of service, he completed two deployments to Kuwait in 2009 and 2019. His decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) expressed his condolences on social media, writing: “A native of Bellevue, he dedicated his life to defending our country and protecting the freedoms we hold dear. No words can fully express the sorrow his family and friends are enduring during this unimaginable loss.”
The youngest of the identified soldiers, Sgt. Coady, enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023 as an information technology specialist. He was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant. His awards included the National Defense Service Medal and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand also issued a statement honoring Coady: “Iowa: please join me in praying for Declan Coady, a 20-year-old Army Reservist and Drake student, who was one of the lives lost among the escalating conflict in the Middle East.”
Maj. Gen. Todd Erskine, commanding general of the 79th Theater Sustainment Command, praised the fallen soldiers for embodying the highest ideals of military service. “To the families and teammates of these Cactus Nation Soldiers: you have my deepest sympathy and my respect,” Erskine said. “Our nation is kept safe by folks like these – brave men and women who put it all on the line every single day. They represent the heart of America. We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice.”
The attack comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Operation Epic Fury reportedly targeting over 1,700 sites in Iran within its first 72 hours. The loss of these soldiers underscores the significant human cost of ongoing military operations in the region and the dangers faced by American personnel stationed abroad.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
12 Comments
This is a somber day for the U.S. military and our nation. I hope the investigation into this drone strike provides answers and leads to improvements in force protection measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Agreed. Understanding the root causes and taking appropriate actions to enhance safety and security for our troops is critical. We owe it to the fallen to learn from this incident.
My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the fallen soldiers. These individuals made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country, and we must honor their memory and continue supporting our troops.
Well said. It’s important to remember the human cost of military operations and ensure we do everything possible to protect our service members.
My heart goes out to the families of the deceased. These soldiers were serving their country with honor and courage. I hope they find some solace in the knowledge that their loved ones died in the line of duty.
Well said. We owe a debt of gratitude to these brave individuals and all those who risk their lives to protect our freedoms.
This is a sobering reminder of the dangers our military personnel face, even in support roles. I hope the investigation sheds light on what happened and how to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Absolutely. Maintaining transparency and accountability is crucial, especially when lives are lost in service of our nation.
Such a tragic loss. I’m curious to learn more about the circumstances surrounding this drone strike and what can be done to better protect our troops in the future. Investigations like this are essential to improving safety and preventing similar incidents.
I share your curiosity. Thorough investigations are crucial to understanding what happened and implementing measures to enhance the safety and security of our military personnel.
Tragic loss of life in this drone attack. My condolences to the families and loved ones of the fallen soldiers. These service members made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.
Agreed. We must honor their memory and continue supporting our troops, even in the face of such devastating incidents.