{"id":38950,"date":"2020-03-13T12:57:20","date_gmt":"2020-03-13T12:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/03\/13\/soldier-airman-identified-as-us-troops-killed-in-rocket-attack-on-iraq-base\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:09:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:09:36","slug":"soldier-airman-identified-as-us-troops-killed-in-rocket-attack-on-iraq-base","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2020\/03\/13\/soldier-airman-identified-as-us-troops-killed-in-rocket-attack-on-iraq-base\/","title":{"rendered":"Soldier, airman identified as US troops killed in rocket attack on Iraq base"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The military on Friday identified the two U.S. troops killed in a rocket attack<\/a> on Camp Taji<\/a> in Iraq as Army Spc. Juan Miguel Mendez Covarrubias, 27, of Hanford, California, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Marshal D. Roberts, 28, of Owasso, Oklahoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mendez Covarrubias was assigned to 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roberts was assigned to 219th Engineering Installation Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard\u2019s 138th Fighter Wing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third service member killed in the attack, U.K. Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon<\/a>, 26, was previously identified by the British military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe international military coalition is capable and credible because of warriors like Juan, Brodie, and Marshal,\u201d said Lt. Gen. Pat White, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, the coalition to defeat the Islamic State. \u201cThey volunteered to serve the United States and United Kingdom to improve their lives and help keep the world free from ISIS terrorism. Our fallen comrades have a legacy that will never be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Oklahoma Air National Guardsman, Staff Sgt. Marshal Roberts, was killed Wednesday, March 11, 2020, during a rocket attack in Iraq. Roberts served with the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron, 138th Fighter Wing, which is deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (Courtesy photo by the Roberts family)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Oklahoma Air National Guard said Roberts enlisted in May 2014, and is the first Oklahoma Air Guardsman to be killed in action since Sept. 11, 2001. He is the 20th Oklahoma National Guardsman who has died while deployed since 9\/11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith the passing of Staff Sgt. Roberts, the 138th family has lost a dedicated airman, mentor and leader,\u201d 138th wing commander Col. Michael Meason said in a release. \u201cOur thoughts and prayers are with Staff Sgt. Roberts\u2019 family and friends as we stand with them through this difficult time. They are and always will be part of the 138th family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, and Maj. Gen. Michael Thompson, the adjutant general, also paid tribute to Roberts.<\/p>\n\n\n\t