Congressman Ryan Calls for Urgent Investigation into Deadly Kuwait Drone Strike
WASHINGTON — Congressman Pat Ryan (D, NY-18) and a coalition of 12 House Democratic veterans are demanding an immediate, thorough investigation into the drone attack that killed six U.S. service members at a military base in Kuwait. The strike took place on March 1 at a command center operated by the 103rd Sustainment Command, during the early hours of escalating conflict with Iran.
The attack targeted a tactical operations center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, killing all six soldiers. In a letter sent to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week, Ryan and his colleagues charged that critical force protection failures allowed a “known and predictable” threat from one-way Iranian attack drones to go unaddressed.
Ryan Demands Accountability and Transparency
Ryan emphasized that Secretary Hegseth owes the American public—and especially the families of the fallen—clear answers and full accountability. “As President Donald Trump continues to escalate the war in the Middle East, it is essential that we get answers on the department’s failure to understand and mitigate the widely known risk posed by one-way Iranian attack drones,” Ryan said.
“Secretary Hegseth owes the American people, especially the families of the six brave patriots who lost their lives in the attack on a U.S. military site in Kuwait, honest answers and full accountability.” — Congressman Pat Ryan
The House Democrats also accuse Hegseth of refusing to take responsibility for the deaths and issuing misleading media statements on the nature of the strike. Pentagon officials confirmed the attack remains actively under investigation and welcomed the letter’s questions.
“We have received the letter, and we welcome the opportunity to respond directly to their questions,” a Pentagon spokesperson told Mid-Hudson News.
Details from Soldiers and Evidence Under Review
The letter calls for all physical evidence, operational data, firsthand accounts, and after-action reviews from the Kuwait incident to be included in the investigation. Ryan and his colleagues cited direct testimony from service members injured in the attack as well as public reports showing the Pentagon was aware of the Iranian drone threat but did not adequately protect troops on the ground.
With more than 50,000 U.S. troops stationed across the region, the lawmakers stress the urgent need to address these vulnerabilities before more lives are lost.
Next Steps
The letter demands a written response from Secretary Hegseth by May 22, outlining what measures the Defense Department is taking to enhance force protection and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As investigations continue, the public and military families await transparency and reform amid rising tensions in the Middle East and ongoing risks to American service members stationed abroad.
