Third U.S. Soldier Killed in Weekend Attacks Identified by Pentagon

The Pentagon has identified the third U.S. soldier killed over the weekend as a result of escalating conflict with Iran. Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died Sunday from injuries sustained during a controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone at Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq.

Swinton's death followed those of Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, and First Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii. The Department of Defense announced their deaths Monday, stating they were victims of an Iranian missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in eastern Jordan on July 17.

These recent fatalities bring the total U.S. service member deaths since the commencement of Operation Epic Fury on February 28 to 17. The ongoing operation is part of the broader intensifying conflict with Iran.