Overview
- The Defense Department says the assault on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base used ballistic missiles and drones and caused multiple U.S. service member deaths in the strike on July 17.
- The Pentagon identified 28-year-old Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad of Ozone Park as presumed killed after she was initially listed as missing and her remains were returned at a dignified transfer attended by President Trump and senior officials.
- Rampersad enlisted in March 2019, served as a signal operations support specialist with the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and received awards including the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.
- Her Ozone Park community held vigils, raised flags and local leaders pledged efforts to co-name a street and seek other memorials while the family awaits final funeral arrangements.
- The Pentagon has released limited operational details as it continues forensic identification and investigations, and the incident adds to a rising U.S. service member death toll that officials say now stands at 18 during the conflict with Iran.