On Sunday, Jan. 28th, 2024 three US Soldiers were killed by a terrorist drone attack on a base (Tower 22) in Jordan near the Syrian border. The soldiers have been identified as:
1. Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Carrollton, GA Age 46
2. SPC. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, Waycross, GA Age 24
3. SPC. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, Savannah, GA Age 23
More than 30 additional troops were injured and 8 of these service members were evacuated for medical care due to serious injuries.
President Biden is vowing retaliation for the attack on our troops and the loss of our service members. President Biden added in a statement on January 28, 2024 “These service members embodied the very best of our nation: Unwavering in their bravery, unflinching in their in their duty. Unbending in their commitment to our country – risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, and our allies and partners with whom we stand in the fight against terrorism. Have no doubt- we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing”.
The troops attacked in Jordan on Sunday were from the 718 Engineer Company, an Army Reserve Unit out of Fort Moore, GA. The troops stationed at the Tower 22 Base were part of “Operation Inherent Resolve”, a US and Coalition mission to ensure the defeat of ISIS.
While the drone attack on our troops in Jordan is not directly linked to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, it is widely known that attacks on US troops have increased substantially since the start of the war on October 7. To date, there have been more than 160 attacks on US troops reported in the Middle Eastern region since the conflict started. The US has approximately 300,000 troops scattered across the Middle East and has deployed thousands of additional troops to the region including on warships, since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
On Jan 11,2024 two Navy Seals also died during a mission off the Somali Coast, as they were tasked with interdicting weapons headed to Houthis. These soldiers were 1. Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher Chambers, age 37 and 2. Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Gage Ingram, age 27.
MFSO also offers condolences to the families and loved ones of these soldiers and we mourn their loss as well.
Our Statement:
Military Families Speak Out Organization offers sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased soldiers and are overwhelmed with sadness. As family members of active military and veterans each of our members cares deeply for all of our troops and knows that this is the ultimate sacrifice our soldiers and military families make for our county. MFSO also wishes a speedy and full recovery for all of the injured in this and other attacks on our ships and bases.
On February 2, 2024 President Biden released this statement in response to the deaths of three American soldiers killed in Jordan by a drone launched by militant groups backed by Iran. “This afternoon, at my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces.”
Military Families Speak Out strongly oppose actions that will further jeopardize our soldiers at home and abroad. We are opposed to engaging in another conflict in the Middle East and urge our leaders to take all precautions necessary to prevent escalation.
Don Kimball, USAF Veteran, MFSO and Veterans for Peace member summed it up with the following:
“While we grieve with the families of those killed and wounded and will support them in any way we can, we fear more U.S. troop deaths as this country marches towards war with Iran. We call for diplomacy, not bombs to settle our differences.”
MFSO believes we should honor our fallen troops by doing everything that we can to stop these conflicts and prevent another war.
