Following Deadly Attack on U.S. Base in Kuwait that Killed 6 Servicemembers, Goodlander and House Democratic Veterans Demand Secretary Hegseth Investigate Force Protection Failures
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The Members are specifically calling out contradictions in the Secretary’s characterization of the attack, which troops injured on base have called “falsehoods,” as well as the broader implications of threats posed by Iranian drones to the 50,000+ U.S. troops and billions of dollars in assets in the region. One troop injured in the attack said “the unit… was unprepared to provide any defense for itself. It was not a fortified position.” When asked specifically what fortifications were in place, another servicemember replied, “I would put it in the ‘none’ category, from a drone defense capability … none.” As the President and Defense Secretary continue to build up their unauthorized military buildup in CENTCOM, Goodlander and her colleagues are demanding a fulsome, transparent investigation into failures at the site of this attack, as well as the broader implications of vulnerabilities as the conflict continues. “We owe these American patriots, every American in uniform serving in harm’s way, and their loved ones a sacred obligation that we must honor with a swift, thorough, and independent investigation,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “We will not rest until we deliver the accountability and force protection our troops urgently need.” The full letter to Secretary Hegseth is included below: Dear Secretary Hegseth, We write to demand a formal, immediate investigation into the deaths of six U.S. servicemembers killed in Kuwait on March 1, 2026, during operations associated with the war in Iran. Congress must be kept fully and promptly informed of the investigation’s progress and any emerging findings. Based on direct testimony from servicemembers injured in the attack and public reporting, it is clear that there was a deadly failure to protect our troops from known and predictable Iranian capabilities. As the Department and the President continue to amass U.S. troops and assets in the region without an end in sight, it is essential that we prioritize the safety of troops deployed in theater. In addition to your failure to protect our troops, you, Secretary Hegseth, have also misled the public about the circumstances of the attack and failed to take accountability for the deaths of these brave men and women. In a press briefing you characterized the attack as “a squirter” that hit a “fortified” tactical operations center. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the command post was a “secure facility” that was “fortified with 6-foot walls.” Despite these claims, we know these fatalities were in fact the result of a failure to provide sufficient overhead protection against known and predictable one-way attack drone threats. Brave servicemembers have come forward detailing the reality on the ground. One servicemember injured in the attack explicitly called the Department’s characterization a “falsehood,” saying “the unit… was unprepared to provide any defense for itself. It was not a fortified position.” When asked specifically what fortifications were in place, another servicemember replied, “I would put it in the ‘none’ category, from a drone defense capability … none.” These reports raise serious questions about the adequacy of force protection measure
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