Military

Airman Detained in Connection With Syria Blast That Wounded 4 Troops

June 22, 2022Hannah Ray Lambert
airman syria

An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, assigned to the 121st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron during a mission in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, July 17, 2021. US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Taylor Crul.

An American airman has been detained and could soon face charges in connection with an explosion that wounded several troops in April at a base in Syria.


Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek confirmed to Coffee or Die Magazine that the unidentified airman had been arrested in the United States on June 16 in connection with the blast at the Green Village base in eastern Syria. Four American service members were evaluated for minor injuries and possible traumatic brain injuries after the explosion.


“After reviewing the information in the investigation, the Airman’s commander made the decision to place him in pretrial confinement,” Stefanek wrote in an email to Coffee or Die.


The airman has not yet been charged.


Fort Carson Soldier Syria
Syrian Democratic Force soldiers conduct a patrol during a joint operation with US soldiers in Syria on May 8, 2021. US Army photo by Spc. Isaiah Scott.

Officials originally reported that coalition forces had been attacked with artillery or another form of indirect fire that struck two support buildings on April 7. But a week later, the US military said the explosions were instead caused by “the deliberate placement of explosive charges” at an ammunition holding area and shower facility.


Two unnamed defense officials told CNN the attack had happened in the middle of the night and employed explosives that were “not insignificant,” containing more detonation power than a hand grenade does. The officials also said security video picked up “two instances of a figure moving quickly,” the network reported, although it’s not clear whether the video shows the same person in both instances.


Earlier in June, investigators revealed that they had identified a US service member as a potential suspect. The Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations are conducting a joint investigation of the incident.


US and coalition forces have been helping local troops fight against the Islamic State group since 2014, with American ground forces deploying to the country in 2015. Despite efforts by former President Donald Trump to withdraw all ground troops from Syria, around 900 US service members remain in the country.


Read Next: The Army Branded Them Criminals — Now Soldiers Hope Congress Will Fix Fallout From Recruiting Scandal



Hannah Ray Lambert
Hannah Ray Lambert

Hannah Ray Lambert is a former staff writer for Coffee or Die who previously covered everything from murder trials to high school trap shooting teams. She spent several months getting tear gassed during the 2020-2021 civil unrest in Portland, Oregon. When she’s not working, Hannah enjoys hiking, reading, and talking about authors and books on her podcast Between Lewis and Lovecraft.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
Coffee Or Die Photo
From the Team Room to Team Room Design: An Operator’s Creative Journey

BRCC partners with Team Room Design for an exclusive T-shirt release!

Coffee Or Die Photo
Get Your Viking On: The Exclusive 30 Sec Out BRCC Shirt Club Design

Thirty Seconds Out has partnered with BRCC for an exclusive shirt design invoking the God of Winter.

Grizzly Forge BRCC shirt
Limited Edition: Grizzly Forge Blades on an Awesome BRCC Shirt

Lucas O'Hara of Grizzly Forge has teamed up with BRCC for a badass, exclusive Shirt Club T-shirt design featuring his most popular knife and tiomahawk.

BRCC Limited Edition Josh Raulerson Blackbeard Skull Shirt
From Naval Service to Creative Canvas: BRCC Veteran Artist Josh Raulerson

Coffee or Die sits down with one of the graphic designers behind Black Rifle Coffee's signature look and vibe.

Medal of Honor is held up.
Biden Will Award Medal of Honor to Army Helicopter Pilot Who Rescued Soldiers in Vietnam Firefight

Biden will award the Medal of Honor to a Vietnam War Army helicopter pilot who risked his life to save a reconnaissance team from almost certain death.

dear jack mandaville
Dear Jack: Which Historic Battle Would You Want To Witness?

Ever wonder how much Jack Mandaville would f*ck sh*t up if he went back in time? The American Revolution didn't even see him coming.

west point time capsule
West Point Time Capsule Yields Centuries-Old Coins

A nearly 200-year-old West Point time capsule that at first appeared to yield little more than dust contains hidden treasure, the US Military Academy said.

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
Contact Us
© 2024 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved