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An Iranian drone strike that killed six U.S. service members in Kuwait during the opening hours of the war with Iran injured far more troops than previously disclosed, with dozens suffering serious wounds including traumatic brain injuries, burns and shrapnel wounds, multiple sources told CBS News.
The March 1 attack targeted a tactical operations center at the Shuaiba Port, creating what officials described as a chaotic and dangerous scene as smoke quickly filled the damaged building.
Rescuers struggled to reach personnel trapped inside the structure after the drone strike, according to sources familiar with the aftermath.
More than 30 troops still hospitalized
As of Tuesday night, more than 30 U.S. service members remained hospitalized following the attack, according to officials familiar with the situation.
The injured have been transported to several major military medical facilities:
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Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where one service member is being treated
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Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, where 12 troops are hospitalized
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Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where roughly 25 troops are receiving treatment
About 20 injured troops arrived at Landstuhl on Tuesday aboard a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft, with injuries classified by the military as urgent and requiring evacuation.
According to three sources, the injuries include traumatic brain injuries, concussions and memory loss.
More than 100 medical personnel were deployed to Landstuhl to assist with the surge of wounded service members.
Injuries more severe than initially reported
Initial Pentagon statements following the strike indicated that five troops were seriously wounded while others suffered minor injuries.
However, sources now say the scope of injuries was significantly greater, and at least one service member may require the amputation of a limb.
Two service members were initially listed as missing after the strike but were later discovered beneath rubble in the damaged building.
The U.S. Department of Defense typically delays releasing detailed casualty information until families of wounded troops have been notified.
Under Pentagon definitions, a “serious injury” is one that requires medical treatment and carries a possibility of death within 72 hours, though survival is considered likely.
Pentagon describes attack
Speaking at the Pentagon last week, Pete Hegseth, the U.S. defense secretary, described how the strike occurred despite air defenses.
“You have air defenses, and a lot’s coming in, and you hit most of it,” Hegseth said. “Every once in a while, you might have one — unfortunately, we call it a squirter — that makes its way through.”
He said the drone struck a fortified tactical operations center but noted the weapons used were powerful enough to cause significant damage.
Casualties continue to mount
The drone attack in Kuwait was among the deadliest early incidents of the conflict.
In a separate Iranian strike on Saudi Arabia the same day, one American service member was killed, though the number of injuries in that attack remains unclear.
As of Tuesday — the 11th day of the war — Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said about 140 U.S. service members have been injured overall in the conflict.
“The vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and 108 service members have already returned to duty,” Parnell said in a statement. “Eight service members remain listed as severely injured and are receiving the highest level of medical care.”
Air defenses remain in place
Military officials say U.S. personnel stationed across the region are protected by layered air defense systems designed to intercept Iranian drones and missiles.
However, officials acknowledged that even advanced defenses cannot stop every incoming threat.
