US soldier killed during drone disposal operation at Iraq air base

A U.S. Army soldier was killed during a controlled detonation of a downed one-way unmanned aerial system (UAS) at Erbil Air Base in Iraq, the Department of War said on July 21.

Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died on July 19 while supporting overseas operations in Iraq. The Army said he was taking part in the disposal of the downed drone when the fatal incident occurred.

Military officials said the circumstances surrounding the explosion remain under investigation and provided no further details about the operation or the origin of the unmanned aircraft.

Swinton was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defence Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defence Artillery Brigade, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

By Aghakazim Guliyev