U.S. Soldier Killed in Iraq Identified as 30-Year-Old from North Carolina

A U.S. soldier serving in Iraq has been identified as Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, a 30-year-old from Fayetteville, North Carolina. Swinton was killed over the weekend during what the U.S. military described as a controlled explosion to destroy an attack drone at Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq.

The Pentagon confirmed Swinton's death in action during the controlled detonation. While the Pentagon's statement did not specify the drone's origin, a bulletin from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday identified it as a "downed Iranian one-way attack drone." The incident is currently under investigation, with slight discrepancies noted in the reported dates of death between the U.S. military and CENTCOM.

A second service member was wounded in the same incident but was treated for a minor injury. In remarks made on Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned that troops were decommissioning ammunition when an accident occurred, resulting in harm to personnel, though he provided no further details.

Sgt. Swinton was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He joined the Army in 2017. Lt. Gen. John L. Rafferty, commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense command (USASMDC), stated, "His service will not be forgotten, and his sacrifice is not in vain." Swinton will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant and will be awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge.

This incident follows the recent naming of two soldiers killed in an Iranian attack on an air base in southern Jordan. The U.S. military has reported nearly 100 American service members have sustained injuries in multiple Iranian attacks across the Middle East this month, though the vast majority have returned to duty.

“

His service will not be forgotten, and his sacrifice is not in vain. We will support Sgt. Swinton's family and his unit during this difficult period. His loss will inspire his fellow Soldiers to continue the mission.