Six U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iran Drone Strike to be Returned to Dover AFB

The remains of six U.S. Soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait will be returned to the United States on Saturday, March 7, via Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the dignified transfer ceremony.

Details of the Fallen Soldiers

The soldiers have been identified as:

• Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa
• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California
• Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida
• Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska
• Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota
• Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa

The Incident and its Context

The six soldiers were killed in a drone strike on March 1, 2026, targeting an operations center located in a civilian port in Kuwait, more than 10 miles from the main Army base AP News. This attack came in response to U.S. And Israeli strikes on Iran, which began on February 28, resulting in the deaths of several Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the destruction of over 1,250 targets.

Dover Air Force Base and the Dignified Transfer

Dover Air Force Base serves as the military’s center for mortuary services. The dignified transfer is a ceremony that honors soldiers killed in action. Established in 1955, the base’s mortuary, known as the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, has handled the remains of service members from various conflicts and incidents, including the Vietnam War, terrorist attacks, and space missions Delaware News Journal.

Iowa Connection and Official Response

Several of the fallen soldiers had ties to Iowa. Sgt. Declan J. Coady and Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien were both from Iowa. Governor Kim Reynolds has confirmed she will participate in the dignified transfer for the two Iowa soldiers We Are Iowa. Representative Zach Nunn announced President Trump’s attendance and expressed his intention to attend the ceremony to honor the fallen and stand with their families We Are Iowa.