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Soldiers Seriously Wounded in Iranian Drone Strike Tell AP the Military’s Medical System Failed Them
The Army has not released its investigation as wounded troops and families question whether commanders ignored warnings about drone threats.
On March 1, 2026, an Iranian drone strike at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait killed 6 U.S. soldiers and injured dozens during Operation Epic Fury, marking the deadliest known attack on American troops since the conflict began on February 28.
Commanding officers Maj. Gen. John Hinson and Gen. Clint Barnes disregarded warnings from intelligence officers that Port Shuaiba lacked effective air defenses against drone threats, leaving the site vulnerable despite intelligence briefings signaling impending Iranian strikes.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jonathan Tenbrink and other wounded troops described a fragmented medical system marked by coding errors, delayed treatment, and inadequate documentation. "I know what right looks like, and this was not right by any means," Tenbrink said.
Army leadership completed its investigation in June but withheld the report, citing redaction needs, frustrating families like Tina Marzan who demanded accountability for perceived planning and medical response failures.
The conflict has resulted in 19 U.S. deaths, more than 800 wounded, and at least $44 billion in spending, leaving survivors like Army reservist Tim Halbur from Ankeny, Iowa, grappling with permanent disabilities that will reshape their lives.