The U.S. military has identified the service member killed in Iraq while trying to make safe an Iranian drone as Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, a 30-year-old from North Carolina.
Officials announced his identity on Tuesday and said the fatal incident occurred during an effort to disarm the unmanned aircraft. The initial statement did not provide many additional public details about the circumstances.
Military authorities said the death is under investigation. As a result, key questions about how the incident unfolded and what factors contributed to it have not yet been answered.
The case highlights the continuing dangers facing U.S. personnel in Iraq, including threats involving drones and explosive hazards. More information may emerge as the military review moves forward.
