DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — During an emotional news conference Thursday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds expressed her continued support for military operations against Iran, even while mourning the deaths of four soldiers from her state who have been killed since December.
Two Iowa soldiers lost their lives last weekend when a retaliatory drone attack struck in Kuwait as the conflict with Iran escalated.
“I believe in the mission right now,” said Reynolds, a Republican, her voice cracking with emotion during the press briefing.
The governor defended the U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, stating: “I think it was the right thing to do. Just look at what Iran has done over the last several years. Hopefully we’re in and out. I believe that’s the goal of this administration.”
The two soldiers killed in Kuwait were Major Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, from Indianola, and Sergeant Declan Coady, 20, from West Des Moines. They were part of six Army Reservists who died in the attack, all serving with the 103rd Sustainment Command, a unit responsible for providing essential supplies including food, fuel, water, ammunition, and transportation equipment.
Earlier in December, the Iowa National Guard lost two members in Syria: Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, from Des Moines, and Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard, 29, from Marshalltown. Military officials attributed their deaths to the Islamic State group.
“I can’t imagine the sacrifice,” Reynolds said. “To think they’re coming home and then maybe things have changed, delayed. We had some killed in action.”
The governor revealed she had personal conversations with Coady’s father and O’Brien’s wife following the tragedy.
“As you can imagine, they’re heartbroken and as Iowans, we grieve with them,” she said, noting that some wounded soldiers have been successfully evacuated to Germany for medical treatment.
O’Brien’s civilian employer, cybersecurity firm ProCircular, remembered him fondly. CEO Aaron Warner highlighted his “uplifting humor” and “calm guidance,” saying: “His quiet strength and expertise protected countless systems and left a lasting impact on everyone privileged to work with him.”
Military officials have released the names of the other four soldiers killed in the Kuwait attack: Sergeant 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, from White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Captain Cody Khork, 35, from Winter Haven, Florida; Sergeant 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, from Bellevue, Nebraska; and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, from Sacramento, California.
Tina Marzan shared that her husband’s deployment was scheduled to conclude in just a few months, and their family had been eagerly planning to celebrate his April birthday upon his return home.
