Massachusetts National Guard major and Boston firefighter injured in March 1 Iranian drone attack in Kuwait
What is known about the injured Massachusetts service member
A Massachusetts Army National Guard officer who also serves as a Boston firefighter was injured in an Iranian drone attack in Kuwait that killed six U.S. service members. The injured soldier was identified by state officials as Maj. Mark Garcia, who is assigned to the Massachusetts Army National Guard and works with Boston Fire Department Engine 50 in Charlestown.
Gov. Maura Healey said she spoke with Garcia on Tuesday, March 10, as he recovered overseas. Healey said Garcia was at the location of the blast and is currently recovering in Germany. She said his return to Massachusetts is expected in the coming months.
The Kuwait strike: location, timing, and casualties
The attack occurred March 1 at Port Shuaiba, a civilian port area outside Kuwait City, where U.S. forces were operating from a tactical operations center. The strike marked the first U.S. fatalities in the current U.S.-Iran conflict, with six service members killed.
Reporting from the days after the strike described the operations center as a temporary setup in a working industrial port environment rather than a hardened installation. The location was separate from Camp Arifjan, a major U.S. base in Kuwait, and the circumstances have raised operational questions about the exposure of personnel and facilities during a period of heightened threat.
Injuries and ongoing medical care
In addition to those killed, the attack injured U.S. personnel. Recent updates indicate the scale of injuries was broader than initially disclosed, including reports of traumatic brain injuries, shrapnel wounds and burns. As of Tuesday night, March 10, about 25 U.S. military members were reported to remain hospitalized at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
Massachusetts response and local community impact
Garcia’s injuries have brought the consequences of the conflict into sharp focus for Massachusetts, where many Guard members maintain civilian public-safety careers alongside military service. A statement from Boston Firefighters Local 718 said the union was grateful Garcia was safe and receiving care and said it was awaiting his return.
Injured: Maj. Mark Garcia, Massachusetts Army National Guard and Boston firefighter
Date of attack: March 1, 2026
Location: Port Shuaiba area outside Kuwait City
U.S. fatalities: Six service members
Healey said Garcia was at the site of the explosion and is recovering in Germany, with a return expected in the coming months.
What remains unclear
Key details remain under review, including the full chain of events leading to the strike’s success, the defensive posture at the site at the time of attack, and a complete accounting of the wounded and their long-term prognosis. Military and federal officials have indicated the situation is evolving as the conflict continues and additional operational information is assessed.