Survivors of the deadliest Iranian attack on U.S. Forces since the war began have disputed the Pentagon’s description of events, stating their unit in Kuwait was dangerously exposed when six service members were killed and more than 20 wounded.
Members of the targeted unit offered CBS News a detailed account of the attack and its aftermath, challenging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s description of the drone as a “squirter” that bypassed Kuwaiti defenses.
“Painting a picture that ‘one squeaked through’ is a falsehood,” one injured soldier told CBS News. “I want people to know the unit… was unprepared to provide any defense for itself. It was not a fortified position.”
Despite the carnage, the soldier said those inside the compound responded with swiftness and valor, saving lives. “I don’t think that the security environment or any leadership decision diminishes in any way their sacrifice or their service,” said the member of the Army’s 103rd Sustainment Command. “Those soldiers set themselves in harm’s way and… I’m immensely proud of them, and their family should be proud of them.”
“Get off the X”
Prior to the launch of Operation Epic Fury, many U.S. Soldiers and airmen stationed in Kuwait were relocated to Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Some soldiers were told to pack for 30 days and abandon most personal equipment behind, with the goal of avoiding becoming a target.
However, several dozen members of the Army’s 103rd Sustainment Command were ordered to relocate to Port of Shuaiba, a smaller military outpost. The tactical operation center there was similar to structures used in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, surrounded by steel-reinforced concrete barriers designed to protect against mortar or rocket blasts, but not aerial attacks.
One soldier recalled the base as having “some little barriers” and “a bunch of little tin buildings.” The unit managed the movement of equipment and personnel across the Middle East. Soldiers questioned why they were positioned within range of Iranian missiles and drones, noting intelligence suggested the post was a potential target.
“We moved closer to Iran, to a deeply unsafe area that was a known target,” the soldier said. “I don’t think there was a quality reason ever articulated.” They were protected by “blast barricades” that offered no cover from above. “From a bunker standpoint, that’s about as weak as one gets,” the soldier stated, adding that there was “none” in terms of drone defense capability.
A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on the soldiers’ claims, citing an ongoing investigation.
“It was chaos”
As the war began, Iran shifted toward using inexpensive drones. On March 1, an Iranian Shahed drone detonated directly at the center of the U.S. Soldiers’ worksite.
“It was chaos,” another injured soldier described. “There was no single line of patients to triage. You’re on one side of the fire or you’re on the other side of the fire.”
The soldiers triaged themselves with makeshift bandages and commandeered civilian vehicles to transport the wounded to hospitals in Kuwait City. The blast killed six—the deadliest attack on U.S. Troops since 2021—and injured more than 20 others.
One survivor said, “One of the hardest things for me is that I know we didn’t get everybody out, so I know that at this point We find still soldiers inside there that still haven’t been identified and evacuated.”
“Telling the truth is critical”
Survivors were critical of Defense Secretary Hegseth’s description of the drone as a “squirter” that hit a “fortified” tactical operations center. One soldier emphasized the importance of honesty, stating, “It’s not my intent to diminish morale… but I do think that telling the truth is important and we’re not going to learn from these mistakes if we pretend these mistakes didn’t happen.”
While acknowledging the inherent risks of combat, the soldier asserted that the attack was preventable. “I am incredibly sad for their loss… But I’m also immensely proud of them and their sacrifice, and their family should be too.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the U.S. Facility in Kuwait on March 1, 2026?
An Iranian drone struck a tactical operation center at Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait, killing six U.S. Service members and injuring more than 20.
How did soldiers describe the level of fortification at the facility?
Soldiers described the facility as “thinly fortified” and lacking adequate defenses against aerial attacks, stating it was “not a fortified position.”
What was the initial response from the Pentagon regarding the attack?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the drone as a “squirter” that hit a “fortified” tactical operations center, a description disputed by survivors.
As investigations continue and details emerge, what level of preparedness and security measures will be deemed adequate for U.S. Forces operating in the region?
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