Two U.S. Airmen die in non-hostile incidents while supporting Iran operations, raising American military death toll to 23

Two U.S. Airmen assigned to U.S. Central Command died this month in separate “non-hostile” incidents while supporting military operations connected to the conflict with Iran, according to newly updated Pentagon casualty data.

The Pentagon has not publicly identified either service member or disclosed where both deaths occurred.

One Airman died in the United States after being medically evacuated because of an illness, U.S. officials told Air & Space Forces Magazine. The Pentagon lists that death as resulting from “illness/injury.”

The second Airman died in the Middle East. The cause is still under investigation and is listed as “pending” in the Defense Casualty Analysis System.

Both men were mid- to senior-level enlisted personnel. Pentagon data current through Oct. 29 show one was between 31 and 35 years old, while the other was older.

Their deaths raise the number of U.S. service members who have died during the conflict with Iran to at least 23.

Fifteen of those deaths occurred during Operation Epic Fury, the initial U.S. strike campaign against Iran, while eight occurred during subsequent operations.

Not all of the deaths were caused by enemy action. Some resulted from accidents, including the March 12 mid-air collision involving two KC-135 Stratotankers over western Iraq that killed six Airmen.

Pentagon data also show at least 865 U.S. service members have been wounded in action since hostilities began on Feb. 28.