Minnesota is among six service members killed in an airstrike in Kuwait

A Minnesota native was among the American service members killed in an airstrike in Kuwait on Sunday, a day after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

The Pentagon on Tuesday said Army Reserve Sgt. First Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, was among those killed during a “drone attack” in Shuaiba Port, Kuwait. It is still under investigation.

Omar has served in the army for more than 20 years. She was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, as were the three other fallen service members whose names were revealed Tuesday:

• Captain Cody A. Khorek, 35, is from Winter Haven, Florida.

• Sgt. First grade Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska.

• Sgt. Declan J. Cody, 20, is from West Des Moines, Iowa

The 103rd Sustainment Command handles logistics and keeps troops supplied with food, fuel, water, ammunition and transportation equipment.

Two other US service members who died in the conflict have not yet been publicly identified by the military.

“I helped a lot of people”

Amour was just days away from returning home to her husband and two children when she was killed.

“You don’t go to Kuwait thinking something is going to happen, to be one of the first — it hurts,” Joey Amor, her husband, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Amor was an avid gardener and enjoyed making salsa from peppers and tomatoes in her garden with her son, a senior in high school. She also enjoyed snowboarding and biking with her fourth-grade daughter.

“If you need anything she will take care of it for you;”" Joey Omar said. "You have helped so many people through so many dark times, and brought so much light into this world.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said in a statement that she and her husband “join people across our state and our country in mourning Staff Sergeant Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake. Our thoughts are with her family, loved ones, and everyone in our Armed Forces. Sergeant Amor made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation, and we are forever indebted to her.”

US Senator Tina Smith also offered her condolences in a statement. “Archie and I are deeply sorry for the tragic loss and tremendous sacrifice of Minnesota First Class Sergeant Nicole Amor in the service of our country,” Smith said. “We offer our deepest condolences to Nicole’s family and loved ones and pledge our support at this heartbreaking time.”

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, whose district includes White Bear Lake, wrote that she was “deeply saddened by the loss of six U.S. service members in the Middle East,” including Amor. “My thoughts are with her family, friends and fellow Soldiers as they grieve this tremendous loss.”

U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer wrote that he and his wife “are praying for the family and friends of Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor. Our community, state, and nation will be forever grateful for her service to our country.”

Omar joined the National Guard as a 92A (mechanized logistics specialist) in 2005. She transferred to the Army Reserve in 2006 and previously deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019, the Army said.

Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, Warrant Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Foreign Service Ribbon, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device.

“It is with deep sadness and undying grief that we recognize and recognize our soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” Brig. General Clint A. said: Barnes, deputy commanding general of 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Operations Command Center, said in a statement issued by the U.S. Army. “They were the ultimate ambassadors of freedom. They represent the best of what our country stands for. May God grant their families peace and comfort in their memory. We will never forget them.”

“Our nation is safe thanks to people like these.”

When asked about the six deaths on Monday, Defense Minister Pete Hegseth said an Iranian weapon had bypassed allied air defenses “and in this particular case, it happened to hit a tactical operations center that was fortified.”

Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command, said 18 US soldiers were also seriously injured.

“Our nation is kept safe by people like these — brave men and women who put it all on the line every day,” Maj. Gen. Todd Erskine, commanding general of the 79th Theater Sustainment Command, said in an Army statement. “They represent the heart of America. We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice.”

More than 250 Minnesota National Guard members are on regular deployments in or near the Middle East. Monday, Guard officials said No soldiers or pilots from those units were injured in the current military conflict.