MARCH 4, 2026 – The Department of War announced the death of four U.S. Army Reserve soldiers who were supporting Operation Epic Fury. The Soldiers died March 1, 2026 in Kuwait at the Port of Shuaiba, during an unmanned aircraft system attack. All Soldiers were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, Des Moines, Iowa. The incident is under investigation.
“We honor our fallen Heroes, who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation. Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General U.S. Army Reserve Command.
“On behalf of the Army Reserve, we express our heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones. We remain steadfast in our commitment to honoring the legacy of our fallen and supporting their teammates and families during this difficult time,” said Harter.
The deceased are:
- Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Lakeland, Florida
- Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota
- Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska
- Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa
“To the families and teammates of these Cactus Nation Soldiers: you have my deepest sympathy and my respect,” said Maj. Gen. Todd Erskine, commanding general, 79th Theater Sustainment Command. “Our nation is kept safe by folks like these — brave men and women who put it all on the line every single day. They represent the heart of America. We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice.”
“It with deep sadness and unyielding grief that we acknowledge and recognize our Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Our Soldiers relentlessly, consistently, and fearlessly served with sincere dedication and pride,” said Brig. Gen. Clint A. Barnes, deputy commanding general, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Operational Command Post. “They were the ultimate ambassadors for freedom. They represent the best of what our country stands for. May God grant their families peace and comfort in their memories. We will never forget them.”
Capt. Cody Khork, a resident of Lakeland, Fla., enlisted as a 13P, Multiple Launch Rocket System/fire direction specialist in the National Guard in 2009. He commissioned as a military police officer in the Army Reserve in 2014. He deployed to Saudia Arabia in 2018; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 2021; and Poland in 2024.
Khork’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 10 Year Device and “M” Device and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, a resident of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, enlisted in the National Guard as a 92A, automated logistics specialist in 2005. She transferred to the Army Reserve in 2006 and deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019.
Amor’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device.
Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, a resident of Bellevue, Nebraska, enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2006 as a 91B, wheeled vehicle mechanic. He had two deployments to Kuwait in 2009 and 2019.
Tietjens’ awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal With “M” Device.
Sgt. Declan Coady, posthumously promoted from specialist, a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023 as a 25B, Army information technology specialist.
Coady’s awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
UPDATE: The Department of War has announced the identity of a 5th U.S. Army Reserve soldier who died March 1st while supporting Operation Epic Fury. The soldiers, who were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, Des Moines, Iowa, died in Kuwait at the Port of Shuaiba, during an unmanned aircraft system attack. The incident is under investigation.
Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, a resident of Waukee, Iowa, commissioned in the Army Reserve as a Signal Corps Officer in 2012. He deployed to Kuwait in 2019.
O’Brien’s awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device.