US identifies soldier killed in Iranian drone detonation in Iraq

Swinton died during a controlled detonation at the Erbil air base in northern Iraq. The incident occurred over the weekend and is still under investigation, according to the Associated Press.

The information that the drone was Iranian was released by the United States Central Command. The statement identifying Swinton did not mention the origin of the equipment, CBS News reported. Another soldier suffered minor injuries during the detonation.

US military agencies released different dates for death. The War Department reported that Swinton died on Sunday (19), while Central Command recorded the incident on Saturday (18).

The sergeant was participating in an operation designed to protect other soldiers, Army commanders said. He was from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and was part of an air defense unit based at Fort Bragg.

Swinton had joined the Army in 2017. Initially, he worked as an air defense early warning systems operator and then began working with the Patriot missile defense system.

The soldier will be promoted posthumously and will receive three decorations. The Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge are planned.

Swinton was married and left two children, aged 6 and 4. He had served in the Army for almost a decade.

Swinton was the third American soldier confirmed dead over the weekend in episodes related to the conflict with Iran. Tyler James Feehan, 25, and Isabella Gonzales, 19, died after Iranian attacks on the Muwaffaq Salti air base, in Jordan.

Donald Trump said Iran will pay "many times over" for every American soldier killed. The president said the guidance was conveyed to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and other military commanders.

The conflict has left 17 US soldiers dead since February. Clashes intensified again after the collapse of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

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