U.S. Military personnel stationed in Baghdad, Iraq held a Memorial Day service to honor three U.S. Army soldiers who were killed in a drone attack in Jordan earlier this year. Staff Sgt. William Rivers, Sgt. Kennedy Sanders, and Sgt. Breonna Moffett were killed in the attack on Tower 22, a small U.S. outpost in northeast Jordan where they were stationed to support the mission to defeat ISIS. The soldiers were remembered and honored during the Memorial Day ceremony at Union III base in Baghdad’s Green Zone, where Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve presented a ceremonial wreath.
The soldiers had been stationed at Tower 22 just across the border from Syria, with over 100,000 people living there at its peak. However, the camp’s population has dwindled to around 7,500 due to a lack of supplies. Concerns about infiltration by extremist groups, such as ISIS, led to increased security measures in the area following a car bomb attack in 2016 that killed seven Jordanian border guards. The base has a small U.S. presence, including engineering, aviation, logistics, and security troops, with approximately 350 U.S. Army and Air Force personnel deployed there.
Rivers, Sanders, and Moffett were all assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, an Army Reserve unit based in Fort Moore, Georgia. They were stationed at Tower 22 to support the mission to defeat ISIS by providing engineering services and other support. The drone attack that killed the soldiers was carried out by an Iranian proxy group and was a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by U.S. military personnel stationed in the region. Despite the risks, these soldiers bravely served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The Memorial Day ceremony in Baghdad honored not only Rivers, Sanders, and Moffett but all service members who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The ceremony served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families in service to their country. It also highlighted the ongoing mission to defeat ISIS and combat extremism in the region, a mission that these soldiers gave their lives to support. The ceremony brought together military personnel, officials, and others to pay their respects and honor the memory of those who have fallen.
The base at Tower 22 has a long history, starting as a Jordanian border observation outpost before becoming a hub for U.S. military operations in the region. The small installation includes a variety of troops and services, with a focus on supporting efforts to defeat ISIS and provide security in the area. The drone attack that claimed the lives of Rivers, Sanders, and Moffett was a tragic event that underscored the dangers faced by military personnel in the region, but their service and sacrifice also reflect the dedication and bravery of those who serve in the U.S. armed forces.
Overall, the Memorial Day ceremony in Baghdad was a solemn and respectful event that honored the memory of the fallen soldiers and paid tribute to their service and sacrifice. It also served as a reminder of the ongoing mission to combat extremism and provide security in the region. The soldiers who lost their lives in the drone attack on Tower 22 were remembered and honored for their dedication to their country and their bravery in the face of danger. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten, and they will always be remembered as heroes who gave their lives in service to their country and the cause of freedom.
