The Pentagon has identified three US Army soldiers killed in an Iranian strike on a military base in Jordan. The victims, from Texas, Hawaii, and New York, were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the US mission against ISIS. They were assigned to the Army Air Missile Defense Command.
The soldiers killed were 19-year-old Pvt. Isabella Gonzales of Texas, 25-year-old 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan of Hawaii, and 28-year-old Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad of New York. Four other US service members were medically evacuated to a hospital in Jordan and have since been discharged. Other service members were treated for minor injuries.
Iran Strike Aftermath
The Pentagon said the soldiers were killed in action on Friday and Saturday during an attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Gonzales and Rampersad were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, while Feehan was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. The US launched a new round of airstrikes against Iran following the attack.
Rampersad served as a 25U Signal Operations Support Specialist and enlisted in the Army in March 2019. Her awards included the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. Feehan was born and raised in Utah but was living on Oahu when he joined the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2019.
US Response and Implications
The White House said President Trump will attend the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, which has been rescheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reacted to the deaths of the US service members, saying “Godspeed, heroes” and “Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve”. The US has launched airstrikes against Iran for eight straight nights since ceasefire talks broke down.
The deaths mark the 15th and 16th among US service members in the war with Iran. The US has been involved in a series of clashes with Iran, including an Iranian attack on a base in Kuwait in March. The latest incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, with no clear end in sight to the conflict.
The incident serves as a reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, and the sacrifices made by US service members and their families. As the situation continues to unfold, the US will likely face ongoing challenges in the region, with significant implications for global security and stability.
