The Defense Department identified the fallen heroes as Sergeant William Jerome Rivers, 46, from Carrollton, Georgia; Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, from Waycross, Georgia; and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, from Savannah, Georgia. The attack occurred on January 28, 2024, when their container housing units were impacted by a one-way unmanned aerial system (OWUAS), according to the Pentagon.

Pentagon deputy press Secretary Sabrina Singh addressed reporters, remarking that the attack stood out from previous incidents due to its location and timing. She explained that the strike targeted living quarters and occurred in the early morning hours, while people were still in their beds. Singh attributed the drone attack to an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-backed militia, known groups that operate in Syria and Iraq. Although she suggested Kataib Hezbollah's involvement, Singh noted that a final assessment has not yet been made. She added that U.S. forces would respond to the attack "at a time and place of their choosing." The Defense Department has launched an investigation into the incident.

In a subsequent statement, a U.S. official disclosed that the drone used in the attack appeared to be of Iranian origin, specifically a "Shahed drone." These types of one-way attack drones have been provided to Russia by Iran. The Pentagon's alert further revealed that the victims were stationed at an outpost named Tower 22, where approximately 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel are deployed.

U.S. Central Command confirmed on Sunday night that at least 34 service members had suffered injuries in the attack. However, Deputy Press Secretary Singh stated on Monday that the number has risen above 40. Of the wounded, eight were evacuated, with some in critical condition but all now in stable condition, as reported by a defense official to CBS News. The personnel who lost their lives and those injured were inside their sleeping quarters at the base when the drone strike occurred in the early hours before dawn.

This unfortunate incident is believed to be the deadliest attack on American service members since the suicide bombing in Kabul during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, where 13 Americans lost their lives. As the investigation progresses, the military community mourns the loss of these brave servicemen and servicewomen and sends support to those injured in this senseless act of violence.

The Defense Department remains committed to determining the responsible parties and taking appropriate action in response to the attack. The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the ongoing dangers faced by military personnel deployed abroad, further emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and security measures in such deployments.