Pentagon IDs Soldier Killed in Drone Blast

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The Pentagon on Tuesday identified the U.S. soldier killed over the weekend during the controlled disposal of a downed Iranian attack drone at Erbil Air Base in Iraq.

Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died during the controlled detonation of the Iranian one-way attack drone, according to the War Department.

Swinton was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Swinton is the latest U.S. service member killed as the conflict with Iran continues to escalate.

The Pentagon on Monday identified two other U.S. troops killed in Jordan following Iranian attacks on American outposts: 1st Lt. Tyler Feehan, who died Saturday, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, who was killed Friday.

At least 17 U.S. service members have been killed and about 500 wounded since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28, according to updated War Department casualty figures released Monday by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.

The Pentagon also said nearly 100 U.S. service members have been injured since July 7, and 96% have already returned to duty.

Meanwhile, one American service member remains missing after last week's attack in Jordan. U.S. officials said efforts are continuing to identify human remains recovered from the scene.

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