Tammy Baldwin

WASHINGTON — Senator Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., wants to know what went wrong on March 1, when six U.S. soldiers died in an Iranian drone strike on a U.S. military post in Kuwait. Dozens more were injured.

“Those injured included Wisconsinites who I’ve spoken with about the fact that they were ill prepared to deal with a crisis like this,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin said the U.S. Army Central Command, known as CENTCOM, shared findings of its investigation with the families of the fallen soldiers. Now, she’s requesting that information be shared publicly.

“I’m very concerned that we were utterly unprepared for the ramifications of this war when it began, and I feel like this report will show us whether that is the case,” Baldwin said. “I also think it allows us to learn lessons.”

In a letter to Admiral Brad Cooper, Baldwin said CENTCOM reportedly did not take “adequate steps to increase defenses even after the facility was identified by U.S. intelligence as a likely Iranian target.” She added that after the attack, soldiers “claimed that there was insufficient medical care available to treat the wounded in Kuwait.” Baldwin said she has not received a response yet.

The Defense Department and CENTCOM did not respond to a request by Spectrum News for comment.

During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on July 21, Baldwin questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the attack and if he’d commit to releasing the findings of the investigation.

“I will work with Admiral Cooper to make sure it’s handled properly,” Hegseth said.

She also asked why proper medical care was not immediately available for the injured soldiers, and why they weren’t immediately screened for traumatic brain injuries.

“Every effort was made to provide every level of medical care possible,” Hegseth said.

Baldwin said she still hasn’t seen the report and isn’t aware of any colleagues who have.

“Until we see it, I am not satisfied with his response to Congress,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin asked CENTCOM to provide Congress with the unredacted investigation as well as intelligence warnings before the attack by Aug. 18.