DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. — Under a leaden gray sky and a heavy silence broken only by the hum of idling engines, six American soldiers returned to U.S. soil on Saturday morning.
The flag-draped transfer cases containing the remains of six U.S. Army Reservists arrived at Joint Base Dover aboard a military transport aircraft.
They are the first confirmed American combat casualties of Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began on February 28, 2026.
The soldiers, all members of the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, were killed on Sunday, March 1, when an Iranian “suicide” drone struck a tactical operations center at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. The facility, described by officials as a lightly protected trailer complex, was targeted during a massive wave of retaliatory strikes launched by Tehran in response to the opening salvoes of the war.
The Fallen of the 103rd Sustainment Command
The Pentagon has identified the six service members, whose ages range from a 20-year-old student to a 54-year-old veteran leader:
- Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa: A cyber security expert and father of two with 15 years of service.
- CW3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California: A veteran leader described by his family as a “courageous Californian” who served with distinction.
- Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida: A dedicated officer who played a critical role in regional logistics.
- Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota: A mother of two who was reportedly only days away from completing her deployment.
- Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska: A wheeled vehicle mechanic who had served multiple tours in the Middle East.
- Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa: A student at Drake University and an Eagle Scout who was posthumously promoted to Sergeant.
Ceremony
President Trump’s public schedule shows he and first lady Melania Trump will join the dignified transfer of the six U.S. service members who were killed during an Iranian drone strike.
The transfer is expected to take place at 1:30 p.m. March 7 at the Dover Air Force Base.
