Service & Sacrifice: ‘Escalating Attacks’
A snapshot of the burdens being shouldered by brave U.S. troops and military families around the world.
An M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle displays an American flag during a patrol through Syria on January 26, 2023.
Middle East
Iran is stepping up its efforts to escalate attacks on members of the U.S. military serving in Syria and Iraq.
The Washington Post reports that Tehran is “building and training forces to use more powerful armor-piercing roadside bombs intended specifically to target U.S. military vehicles and kill U.S. personnel,” citing “leaked classified documents.” The report also said Iran is “working with Russia on a broader strategy to drive Americans from the [Middle East] region.”
Iran is believed to have been behind multiple recent attacks against American forces in Syria and neighboring Iraq, including a March drone attack that killed a military contractor and wounded dozens of U.S. service members. About 900 U.S. troops are currently serving in Syria and approximately 2,500 in Iraq.
Thursday’s Post article said that Tehran’s “new explosive devices could add to the toll of U.S. casualties, risking a wider military confrontation with Iran.” Please say a prayer for all American troops serving in the Middle East as they face increased threats from terrorists affiliated with Iran and ISIS.
To our brothers and sisters in arms: Your sacrifices will never be forgotten. Remembering the fallen is never easy – and it never will be. Today, our Coalition and Service Members recognized these sacrifices. #CJTFOIR #MemorialDay #OneMissionManyNations
📸SGT Daniel Proper pic.twitter.com/pu7Wo5ZSwC
— Operation Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) May 29, 2023
As the above embedded images show, U.S. military personnel in the Middle East and around the world observed Memorial Day earlier this week. Just because the day of remembrance has passed doesn’t mean that we should forget our fallen heroes, of course. We will always keep these departed warriors and our nation’s Gold Star families in our constant prayers.
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Training
A U.S. Navy pilot was rescued off the coast of Florida on Wednesday after ejecting from his F-5N fighter jet near Key West.
Stars and Stripes reports that an MH-60S military helicopter crew successfully pulled the pilot from the water after he ejected from the aircraft. He was then taken to a Miami-area hospital.
Please join The Stream in praying for this unidentified pilot’s fast and full recovery.
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Coming Home
A group of U.S. Air Force airmen returned to South Carolina in May after spending six months disrupting and destroying enemy air defense systems in the Middle East.
U.S. Air Force airmen return to Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina from a deployment to the Middle East on May 5, 2023.
Welcome home, heroes! Thank you for putting your lives on the line to preserve our freedom and security.
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is the author of the recently released Be Bold and co-author of Three Wise Men, Brothers Forever, 8 Seconds of Courage and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.
