The Army on Tuesday identified Sgt.Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, from Fayetteville, North Carolina, as the U.S.
service member killed while troops attempted to destroy a downed Iranian attack drone Sunday at an air base in Iraq.Swinton, a U.S.Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) soldier, was killed in action during a controlled detonation of the one-way unmanned aerial system at Erbil Air Base, the Department of War announced.
The incident remains under investigation."Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!" Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social."This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military."Swinton's death brought the number of U.S.
service members killed since the beginning of the conflict with Iran to 17.The toll includes deaths from Iranian attacks as well as crashes and other incidents connected to American military operations in the region.US SERVICE MEMBER KILLED IN IRAQ AS TROOPS RECOVER UNIDENTIFIED REMAINS IN JORDAN: CENTCOMSgt.
Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, was killed in action during a controlled detonation of a downed One-Way Unmanned Aerial System on Friday, at Erbil Air Base, Iraq.(U.S.
Army Space and Missile Defense Command via AP)"USASMDC is saddened by the loss of Sgt.Swinton, whose death occurred during an operation to safeguard fellow soldiers," Lt.
Gen.John L.
Rafferty, USASMDC commanding general, wrote in a statement."His service will not be forgotten, and his sacrifice is not in vain.
We will support Sgt.Swinton's family and his unit during this difficult period.
His loss will inspire his fellow soldiers to continue the mission."U.S.Central Command previously said the unexploded ordnance came from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone.
Another service member was injured during the detonation and received medical treatment.Swinton was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battali...