Two American service members were killed, and a third is missing after Iranian ballistic missiles and drones struck an air base in Jordan used by U.S. forces, U.S. Central Command said July 18.
Four other American service members were wounded in the strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan, known as MSAB. The wounded were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals and have since been discharged, CENTCOM said. An unspecified number of other personnel were also injured.
The troops were killed as U.S. and partner forces “defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks,” CENTCOM said.
CENTCOM is withholding further information pending notification of next of kin. Names are typically divulged 24 hours after families are notified.
”Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve,” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said.
Dozens of U.S. fighter jets are based at MSAB, which has been a key hub for Air Force strikes against Iran.
The Trump administration ratcheted up its air campaign against Iran after a tenuous ceasefire collapsed last week. U.S. forces have attacked Iranian military facilities, multiple bridges, and other infrastructure for the past week, and Iran has launched missiles and drones at multiple bases used by the U.S. in the region, as well as at Gulf countries’ population centers.
At least 16 American service members have been killed in action since fighting with Iran began Feb. 28. At least nine have been killed in Iranian attacks. The other seven service members killed died in aircraft crashes—six Airmen when a KC-135 collided with another tanker, and a Navy pilot lost at sea when his helicopter crashed. At least 400 troops have been wounded since the conflict began.
Stephen Losey contributed reporting.