Pentagon Identifies Final Two Soldiers Killed in Kuwait Port Drone Strike

2026-03-05 global

Port Shuaiba, Thursday, 5 March 2026.
The identification of Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien and CWO3 Robert Marzan brings the death toll to six after a single projectile breached a fortified U.S. command center in Kuwait.

Casualties Confirmed in Port Shuaiba Attack

On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the Pentagon released the final two names of the six U.S. soldiers killed during the recent drone strike in Kuwait: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California, and Major Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa [1]. This announcement follows the identification of four other soldiers on Tuesday, bringing the full scope of the human cost of the March 1 attack into focus [1]. Major O’Brien, who was promoted to his current rank in August 2024, had served in the Army Reserve for nearly 15 years and was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa [1][2]. The Pentagon indicated that Chief Warrant Officer 3 Marzan was at the immediate scene of the strike and is believed to be the individual who perished there [1].

The Human Cost of Operation Epic Fury

The attack, which occurred on Sunday, March 1, 2026, also claimed the lives of Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; and Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska [1][3]. These soldiers were supporting Operation Epic Fury, a military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran just one day prior to the casualties [3][4]. In addition to the six fatalities, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that 18 troops were seriously wounded during the operation [5]. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statement on Wednesday offering prayers for the families of the fallen, specifically noting the loss of the two Iowa-based soldiers, Major O’Brien and Sergeant Coady [1].

Tactical Vulnerabilities and Security Breaches

Analytical scrutiny is now turning toward the security infrastructure at Port Shuaiba. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed that the strike targeted a “tactical operation center that was fortified,” yet a single projectile managed to penetrate the air defenses [5]. Reports indicate that the attack occurred at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time and arrived without warning; no sirens were sounded to alert the troops stationed at the logistics hub [5]. This specific breach of a fortified position raises critical questions regarding the efficacy of current force protection measures against Iranian unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the region.

Regional Escalation and Official Response

The drone strike at Port Shuaiba was part of a broader retaliatory wave, with Iranian missiles and drones hitting targets across Israel, Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, and Cyprus on the same day [4]. This escalation followed the initiation of Operation Epic Fury on Saturday, February 28, 2026 [4]. President Donald Trump has announced plans to attend the dignified transfers of the soldiers upon their return to the U.S., acknowledging that further casualties remain a likely possibility as the conflict continues [1][4]. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll emphasized the volunteer nature of the service members, stating that their sacrifice in defense of the country would not be forgotten [3].

Sources

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