Pentagon identifies Sgt Angel S Rampersad as fourth US soldier believed killed in Jordan attack
WASHINGTON, DC: The Pentagon announced that Sgt Angel S Rampersad, a 28-year-old soldier from Ozone Park, New York, is believed to have been killed during an Iranian attack on a US military base in Jordan.
The announcement came as US Central Command launched its 11th consecutive night of strikes on military targets in Iran, highlighting the growing human cost of the escalating conflict.
Rampersad had previously been listed as missing after the July 17 attack. Her presumed death raises the number of US service members killed in the Iran conflict to 18, according to the Department of War.
Pentagon confirms Sgt Angel Rampersad's presumed death
In a statement, the Department of War said, "Sgt Angel S Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, is believed to have been killed in action on July 17, 2026, during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan."
The department added that "the incident is under investigation." US Central Command had earlier listed Rampersad as missing following the attack.
She served with the Germany-based 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
Rampersad is the fourth American service member believed to have died in recent attacks linked to Iran.
Army First Lt Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Hawaii, and Pfc Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Texas, were previously identified among those killed in the attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base.
Another service member, Sgt Michael Emmanuel Swinton of North Carolina, was killed in Iraq while attempting to disarm a downed Iranian drone on Sunday.
According to the Pentagon, the total number of US service members killed during the Iran conflict now stands at 18.
New York leaders mourn Sgt Angel Rampersad
Following the Pentagon's announcement, New York officials expressed their condolences to Rampersad's family.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Queens Councilwoman Joann Ariola released a joint statement mourning the soldier's presumed death.
"Tonight, our city mourns the presumed loss of Sgt Angel Sarah Rampersad, an Ozone Park resident who died this past weekend in Jordan serving her country," they said.
The statement continued, "[Our] thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends as they grieve the loss of their beloved. As this conflict continues in the Middle East, we pray that all our service members remain safe and return home to their families."
Their remarks came as communities across the country continued to follow the rising number of American casualties linked to the conflict.
CENTCOM continues military strikes against Iran
As the Pentagon confirmed Rampersad's presumed death, US Central Command announced that American forces had once again carried out military operations inside Iran.
"CENTCOM forces began striking military targets in Iran at 7 pm ET today for the 11th consecutive night," the command said in a post on X.
CENTCOM forces began striking military targets in Iran at 7 p.m. ET today for the 11th consecutive night. The strikes are designed to continue degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 21, 2026
It added that "the strikes are designed to continue degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."
According to CENTCOM, the latest mission concluded successfully at 8:15 pm ET.
In a separate statement, the command said US forces targeted Iranian military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure.
The military said those strikes were intended to "further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."
CENTCOM cites shipping through Strait of Hormuz
CENTCOM also accused Iran of carrying out repeated attacks on commercial shipping in recent months.
According to the command, Iran has launched "unwarranted attacks" on more than 30 commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz over the past three months.
Despite those attacks, CENTCOM said commercial traffic continues to move through the critical waterway.
"Despite Iranian aggression, the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial vessel transit," the command said.
It added that since early May, American forces have helped facilitate the movement of approximately 900 commercial vessels carrying around 450 million barrels of crude oil while continuing military operations across the region.
