Georgia army engineers killed in drone attack remembered

Two of the soldiers became fast friends in basic training
Sgt. William Rivers previously served a tour of duty in Iraq
President Biden will witness the soldiers' dignified transfer in Delaware

(NewsNation) — Three civilian engineers and military reservists from Georgia who were killed in a drone attack that also injured 40 others at a U.S. military base in Jordan are being remembered by their families as brave men and women who died in service to the country.

Spc. Kennedy Sanders, 24, and Spc. Breonna Moffett, 23, were killed in the attack along with Sgt. William Rivers, 46, the Department of Defense announced.

Rivers, Sanders and Moffett were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade at Fort Moore in Georgia.

Sanders and Moffett met one another in basic training and became fast friends. They were together when they died, their families confirmed to “NewsNation Now.” Both women are being remembered as soldiers who had accomplished much but also had so much left to do, their families said.

All three of the reservists were working to support Operation Inherent Resolve, which has the mission of eliminating ISIS. President Joe Biden said Monday he has been in contact with the families of the three soldiers and will be present at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to witness the dignified transfer of the three military members.

Moffett’s mother said that she had recently sent her daughter a care package that included some of her favorite things, including strawberry shortcake and sunflower seeds. In addition, the package included a book on real estate, which Moffett planned to pursue after her service in the military ended, her mother said.

In a social media post, Sanders’ mother wrote, “I just can’t believe I’ll never be able to hug and kiss my baby again. Life is so unfair.”

Sanders’ father wrote on Facebook that “Munchkin will be missed by so many.”

Rivers enlisted in the military in 2011 and initially served as an interior electrician. Rivers served one tour in Iraq, where he spent nine months and earned multiple awards and decorations for his service, including the Army Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Moffit and Sanders, who enlisted in the military in 2019, had also previously earned the National Defense Service Medal, the DOD said.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a statement Monday saying the three soldiers “gave the last full measure of devotion in service to this country.” Kemp, a Republican, called the drone attack an “inexcusable loss of life.”