The U.S. military has identified Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, a 30-year-old soldier from North Carolina, who died while disarming an Iranian drone in Iraq. Swinton was killed during a controlled detonation on Sunday at an air base in Irbil, located in northern Iraq.
The military is investigating the circumstances surrounding Swinton's death. He is posthumously slated to receive a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge, and will be promoted to staff sergeant.
Swinton enlisted in the Army in 2017 and was assigned to the 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Brig. Gen. John L. Dawber, commanding general of the Army Air and Missile Defense Command, described Swinton as an experienced noncommissioned officer who demonstrated courage, honor, and selfless dedication.
This incident follows other recent U.S. troop casualties. Two U.S. Army soldiers were killed in Jordan on Friday while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. These were the first U.S. troop deaths attributed to direct Iranian fire since the initial days of the current conflict.