Overview
- The Defense Department named Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, a member of the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade at Fort Carson, as the latest U.S. combat fatality.
- He was wounded during an Iranian attack on Prince Sultan Air Base on March 1 and succumbed to his injuries a week later, according to official statements.
- The Army says Pennington will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant, as senior leaders including Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey and Col. Michael F. Dyer issued public tributes to his service.
- Pentagon officials said the Saudi Arabia incident is under investigation, reflecting broader reviews into how recent strikes penetrated defenses.
- Six other soldiers were killed the same day when a one-way attack drone hit a makeshift operations center at a Kuwaiti port, with their remains returned in a Dover dignified transfer attended by President Donald Trump; CENTCOM has reported at least 18 U.S. troops wounded so far.