More than six months after the United States and Israel initiated strikes against Iran, the families of U.S. service members killed or injured during the conflict are reflecting on their loved ones' service and sacrifice. With approximately 50,000 U.S. troops still deployed in the Middle East, a clear exit strategy or timeline for their return has not yet been provided by the administration.
According to Department of Defense data, 18 U.S. service members have been killed in the conflict, bringing the total casualties to 808.
1st Lt. Tyler Feehan
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Tyler Feehan, 25, was killed on July 18 at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, in an attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles and drones. His mother, Shari Feehan, described the day of his death as the worst of her life, recalling the initial shock and disbelief.
Feehan was known for his dedication to his soldiers' education, assisting 18 of his 21 soldiers in enrolling in college and helping them secure academic waivers during combat operations. He was also preparing to apply to law school and was scheduled to take the LSAT in August.
The Feehan family has established the CPT Tyler Feehan Legacy Foundation to provide scholarships to soldiers and support them post-deployment. "A big piece of our hearts left this earth when we got the confirmation that we had been fearing," Shari Feehan stated.
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Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards
Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, 42, went missing on July 1 after his MH-60S helicopter went down in the Arabian Sea. A four-day search covering 14,000 square miles concluded without finding Edwards, and he is now presumed dead. His mother, Rosemary Edwards, expressed disbelief at his life being cut short.
Edwards was the commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Squadron 5, known as the “Nightdippers,” and had deployed in April. The cause of the helicopter incident is under investigation, with no indication of hostile action.
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His uncle, Christopher Amling, noted that Edwards was piloting the helicopter and was at the peak of his career, having recently been promoted to captain.
Sgt. 1st Class Cory Hicks
Sgt. 1st Class Cory Hicks was among dozens injured and six killed when an Iranian drone attacked Port Shuaiba in Kuwait on March 1. Hicks sustained internal injuries, shrapnel wounds, facial fractures, and a traumatic brain injury. He recounted seeing the drone before the explosion that destroyed the building he was in.
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Hicks is still recovering and experiencing short-term memory loss and PTSD. He noted that despite Kuwait often being considered a low-risk deployment, the attack demonstrated the rapid escalation of hostilities.
His colleague and friend, Master Sgt. Nicole Amor, was one of the six soldiers killed in the attack. Hicks described Amor as a kind and caring individual who was willing to go the extra mile.
"We thought we were safe. We thought it was just going to be a silly 'nother 12-day war, and Israel and Iran are going to do their thing, and it’ll be over," Hicks said. "But it’s coming to a realization that it’s turning into something bigger than we thought."