Four Army Reserve Soldiers Named Among Six Killed in Kuwait Drone Strike During Operation Epic Fury

Pentagon Names Four Soldiers Killed in Kuwait Drone Strike

The Department of Defense officially identified four of the six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers who lost their lives in a March 1 drone attack at Kuwait's Port of Shuaiba. The soldiers were supporting Operation Epic Fury when they were struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The incident remains under active investigation.

All six soldiers were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa — a unit responsible for providing logistical and operational support to American forces deployed overseas.

The Fallen Soldiers

The Department of Defense released the names of the four identified service members:

• Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Lakeland, Florida
• Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota
• Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska
• Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa

The identities of the two remaining soldiers killed in the strike have not yet been released to the public.

Military Leaders Pay Tribute

Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, Chief of Army Reserve and commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve Command, expressed the profound grief felt throughout the military community.

"We honor our fallen Heroes who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation," Harter said. "Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten."

Maj. Gen. Todd Erskine, commanding general of the 79th Theater Sustainment Command, echoed those sentiments, stating: "Our nation is kept safe by folks like these — brave men and women who put it all on the line every single day. They represent the heart of America. We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice."

Profiles of the Fallen

Capt. Cody Khork

Khork began his military career in 2009 when he enlisted in the National Guard as a multiple launch rocket system and fire direction specialist. He later commissioned as a military police officer with the Army Reserve in 2014. Over the course of his service, he completed deployments to Saudi Arabia in 2018, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, in 2021, and Poland in 2024. His military honors included the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 10 Year Device and "M" Device.

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor

Amor joined the National Guard in 2005 as an automated logistics specialist and transitioned to the Army Reserve a year later. She deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019 and earned numerous commendations during her service, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device.

Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens

Tietjens enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2006 as a wheeled vehicle mechanic and completed two deployments to Kuwait, in 2009 and again in 2019. His decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star.

Representative Don Bacon (R-Neb.) shared his grief on social media following the news of Tietjens' death. "A native of Bellevue, he dedicated his life to defending our country and protecting the freedoms we hold dear," Bacon wrote. "No words can fully express the sorrow his family and friends are enduring during this unimaginable loss."

Bacon also extended condolences to the families of the other three identified soldiers, calling all four "American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice."

Sgt. Declan Coady

At just 20 years old, Coady was the youngest of the four identified soldiers. He enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023 as an information technology specialist and was a student at Drake University at the time of his death. He was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant. His military awards included the National Defense Service Medal and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand issued a statement calling on Iowans to pray for Coady and his family. "Join me in also praying for his family and loved ones and for all the communities he was part of, and thanking him for his service and ultimate sacrifice," Sand said.

Investigation Ongoing

Military officials confirmed that the circumstances surrounding the drone attack remain under investigation. The soldiers were actively supporting regional operations at the Port of Shuaiba when the unmanned aerial system struck, cutting short the lives of six dedicated service members who answered their nation's call.