USAF: 3 Airmen Suffered TBIs in Al-Asad Attack

Three U.S. Airmen are undergoing treatment for mild traumatic brain injuries as a result of the Iranian rocket attack on al-Asad Air Base, Iraq, the Air Force said Feb. 27.

“These Airmen are accounted for in the 112 service members with TBIs as reported by DOD on Wednesday,” Air Force spokeswoman Capt. Carrie Volpe said in a Feb. 27 email.

The number of injured service members continues to rise. The Air Force had cited 109 brain injuries Feb. 10.

President Donald Trump initially cited Pentagon reports that there were no injuries, and then drew criticism for suggesting that some service members had simply suffered headaches. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley explained that initial reports focused on obvious physical injuries. The extended timeline during which TBI symptoms can emerge has been a contributing factor, Pentagon officials have said.