US Defense Contractor Employee Killed in Iraq Drone Strike
A worker employed by the American defense contractor V2X has been killed in a drone attack on Erbil Air Base in Iraq, according to five sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. The incident has sparked serious concerns among colleagues, who allege they are being pressured to remain in the region despite escalating security threats and a lack of adequate safety measures.
Details of the Attack and Casualties
The victim, a Kenyan national, died in his sleeping quarters during a night assault on March 24, 2025. Five other workers were injured in the same attack, with one reported to be in critical condition suffering from severe burns. These individuals are part of a group of approximately 45 V2X employees who have stayed on the base, hailing from countries such as Kenya and India.
"The company has messed up here bad," said one anonymous source. "He didn't have to die. The company thought it was more important to keep the mission going rather than get people to safety."
Allegations of Neglect and Fear Among Staff
V2X maintains nearly 300 employees in Erbil, located in Iraqi Kurdistan, with a workforce primarily composed of American, Indian, and Kenyan nationals. In contrast, other major US defense contractors operating on the base, including Lockheed Martin and Amentum, evacuated their staff several weeks prior. This discrepancy has led V2X workers to question why similar repatriation efforts have not been initiated for them.
Employees describe a pervasive culture of fear and perceived hostility from management. Most V2X staff in Erbil have been residing in a local hotel since the conflict outbreak, but they report that inquiries about safety or evacuation plans are met with aggression from company leaders.
"People are scared. Rather than calming people, leadership threaten our jobs," one source revealed.
Company Policies and Security Concerns
V2X has informed its employees that the security situation does not warrant an organized evacuation. Those who choose to leave are told it will be considered a "voluntary evacuation," resulting in job termination and potential blacklisting from future rehire. "Nobody is speaking up to leadership because we are afraid. They said they have no legal responsibilities to us if we decide to leave. We are on our own," a second source explained.
Workers have raised alarms about the hotel's lack of security, noting it has no checkpoint and allows public access, making them potential targets for Iran-allied militants. "There's no safety plan, no security, no evacuation plan," the first source added. "We are one of the biggest targets just sitting here. Everybody in Erbil knows we're here."
Broader Context and Contractual Pressures
The US Embassy in Baghdad issued an alert on April 2, warning of potential attacks by Iraqi militias on US interests and urging American citizens to depart immediately. Despite this, V2X employees allege the company is downplaying threats to avoid evacuating staff, which could jeopardize its $252 million LOGCAP contract supporting Iraq's F-16 fighter jet program.
"They don't want to push the button, they are in fear of losing the contract. It would cost them money to get us out of here. I feel like they should be doing something," said the second source. "We have been in this hotel for a month — it means we're not essential. They're stringing us along."
Management Actions and Previous Incidents
Ironically, several V2X managers, including the task order and site managers, evacuated Erbil on March 24, citing increased targeting risks due to their leadership roles. "I was furious and I felt like it was a cowardly move. How do you leave your team behind – especially the US citizens – we are in just as much danger as they are," a third source commented.
This incident follows earlier reports by the Guardian highlighting security dangers for V2X employees at US bases in Kuwait and near Baghdad. Since those reports, managers have allegedly pressured staff to identify whistleblowers, with one source noting, "The pressure has been intense." V2X did not respond to requests for comment on these allegations.
Similar Issues at Other Bases
At Martyr Brigadier General Ali Flaih air base, formerly known as Balad, V2X workers face identical policies: no mandated evacuation and termination for those who leave voluntarily. Employees there are now required to wear protective gear due to frequent drone alerts and attacks. "It's been almost daily drones and gunshots," a fifth source stated, describing an alert on March 26.
In late February, V2X attempted to evacuate non-essential staff from this base but aborted the plan after the Iraqi government threatened contract termination. Some evacuees are now stranded in Erbil due to closed airspace, exacerbating frustrations. "Literally everyone is angry and frustrated," the fifth source concluded.
