(U.S. Army Press Release, March 4, 2026)
FORT BRAGG, N.C. – UPDATE: The Department of War has announced the identity of a 5th U.S. Army Reserve soldier who died March 1st while supporting Operation Epic Fury. The soldiers, who were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, Des Moines, Iowa, died in Kuwait at the Port of Shuaiba, during an unmanned aircraft system attack. The incident is under investigation.
The updated list of the deceased is:
- (newly released) Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa
- Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida
- Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota
- Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska
- Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa
Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, a resident of Waukee, Iowa, commissioned in the Army Reserve as a Signal Corps Officer in 2012. He deployed to Kuwait in 2019.
O’Brien’s awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device.
