The attack in Jordan resulted in the tragic deaths of three American service members: Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia. The incident occurred on January 28, 2024, when a one-way unmanned aerial system impacted their container housing units. Breonna Moffett’s mother, Francine Moffett, expressed the profound loss, describing her daughter as a smart, beautiful young woman with a passion for the military and a desire to help others.
The Pentagon confirmed that the attack took place in living quarters during the early morning hours, catching individuals in their beds when the drone struck. Pentagon deputy press Secretary Sabrina Singh attributed the drone attack to an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-backed militia, pointing to the “footprints” of Kataib Hezbollah. However, a final assessment is pending, and the U.S. forces intend to respond “at a time and place of their choosing.” The incident is currently under investigation.
On a concerning note, it was revealed that the drone used in the attack appears to be of Iranian origin, specifically a “type of Shahed drone” that Iran has reportedly provided to Russia. The outpost, known as Tower 22, where the attack occurred, is home to approximately 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel. U.S. Central Command initially reported at least 34 injuries, but the number has since risen to over 40. Eight wounded service members were evacuated, some in critical condition but now stable.
The casualties occurred as the service members were in their sleeping quarters on the base during the pre-dawn hours. The attack is considered the deadliest against U.S. service members since the suicide bombing in Kabul in 2021 during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which claimed the lives of 13 Americans.