Operation Epic Fury claims life of Kentucky soldier

GLENDALE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A Kentucky soldier has died after being injured in an attack at a U.S. air base in Saudi Arabia.

According to the United States Department of Defense, 26-year-old Benjamin N. Pennington of Glendale died Sunday from injuries he sustained during a March 1 attack at Prince Sultan Air Base.

Officials say Pennington was assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade based at Fort Carson.

Pennington is the seventh U.S. service member killed in action since the start of Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

In a statement, Andy Beshear called Pennington a hero who “sacrificed everything serving our country,” and asked Kentuckians to keep his family in their prayers.