Gold Star family calls on Army to release internal probe into deadly attack on Kuwait base: “My son died unnecessarily”

September 10, 2026 / 8:06 AM EDT / CBS News

Fresh off his return from a deployment in Poland, Army Reserve Capt. Cody Khork was eager to find another assignment overseas with his fiancée. They found that opportunity with the Iowa-based 103rd Sustainment Command, where Khork would serve as deputy force protection officer for nine months at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.

In February, the couple — along with most other service members stationed at the base — were moved off post in preparation for Operation Epic Fury. While his fiancée was moved out of the country, Khork was among a few dozen specialists moved to a tactical operations center at the Port of Shuaiba.

On March 1, one day into the Iran war, an Iranian Shahed drone struck Khork's position, killing him and five other American troops.

"I just never thought it would happen," Jim Khork, Cody's father, told CBS News.

Jim Khork, along with his wife, Stacey, sat down for an exclusive interview with CBS News to share more about their grief, but also their frustrations about what they consider is a lack of accountability for military shortcomings ahead of the deadly attack.

The Army confirmed to the Khorks…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/