Soldiers injured in an Iranian drone strike on March 1 in Kuwait have described a military medical system that failed to adequately treat their wounds, leading to delays in care and prolonged struggles. The attack, which occurred at Port Shuaiba, killed six troops and wounded dozens more.
Nine service members who sustained injuries spoke to The Associated Press, detailing instances of injuries being downplayed, a disorganized evacuation plan, and bureaucratic obstacles hindering follow-up treatment. The Pentagon has stated that the medical care provided was appropriate.
Lt. Col. Arturo Lincón, who suffered multiple shrapnel wounds, including one that severed an artery in his neck, said he was not considered serious enough for admission to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Instead, he was sent to Army barracks and instructed to schedule outpatient appointments, leaving him feeling “on my own.” Another soldier, Maj. Stephen Ramsbottom, reported waiting over four months for his MRI results after having shrapnel removed from his head.
Soldiers described tending to each other immediately after the blast, using their own first-aid supplies and resorting to internet searches to find nearby hospitals in Kuwait City. Lincón, who also sustained a traumatic brain injury from the blast, spent a week hospitalized in Kuwait before being evacuated. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rodney Bearman, who had shrapnel in his face and legs, stated that upon arrival in Germany, they were not documented as wounded in combat and were sent to barracks instead of Landstuhl, citing a coding error.
“Never did I think that if I was wounded that these things would happen,” Bearman said. “Some sacred trust that I thought would never be broken was broken.”
These criticisms emerge against a backdrop of years of military drawdowns and disinvestment in the Middle East, which have resulted in the closure of major U.S.-run medical facilities in the region.
Regarding the TBI assessments, a Pentagon official explained that Landstuhl's primary role in battlefield casualty situations is patient stabilization for transfer to more specialized care in the U.S., rather than prolonged admission. The official also stated that all wounded troops arriving at military medical facilities are evaluated and may be admitted based on injury severity, adhering to standard healthcare practices.
Despite Pentagon assurances, medical records shared with the AP by some soldiers indicated that TBI diagnoses were not made until they returned to the U.S., such as at Fort Hood, Texas. One officer, who was thrown from his chair by the blast, reported not receiving specialized care for weeks after his TBI diagnosis and having to identify necessary specialists himself.
Maj. Billy Key said he did not receive specialized treatment for his head injury, hearing loss, and damaged lungs until mid-April, calling the delay “too long.” Dr. James Kelly, chief medical scientist at the Invisible Wounds Foundation, commented that delayed TBI diagnoses are unfortunately not uncommon and can impede timely treatment and optimal recovery.
Months after the attack, soldiers continue to face challenges. Lincón still has shrapnel near his spinal cord and experiences persistent dizziness. He also encountered bureaucratic issues when attempting to replace his destroyed passport, and his claim for Traumatic Injury benefits was initially denied due to not meeting a threshold for hearing loss, though it did not address his other injuries.
Lincón, a veteran of multiple deployments, expressed his gratitude for surviving but highlighted the ongoing difficulties. "I’m American enough to have fought in three different wars," he stated, referencing the passport issue. He is now back on active duty as an instructor, but the long-term impacts of the attack and the subsequent medical care continue to affect him and other wounded service members.