Arizona Soldier Honored for Heroic Actions Following Jordan Drone Attack

Sgt. Aneska S. Holness of the Arizona National Guard was awarded the Purple Heart this week for her bravery during a January drone attack on Tower 22, a U.S. military outpost in Jordan.

On January 28, Holness found herself ensnared under rubble after a drone strike targeted her housing unit. Despite her injuries, she managed to free herself and assist fellow soldiers trapped in the debris. “I am thankful for being alive,” Holness reflected during the ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, as she transitions from military service due to her injuries.

Holness, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade, was deployed to support Operation Spartan Shield. This mission aimed to address regional threats and guarantee safety. The Arizona National Guard’s “Bushmasters” have been stationed in the area since September 2023.

The attack led to injuries affecting over 40 service members, with many experiencing traumatic brain injuries. Holness was moved to Germany and later underwent treatment at Walter Reed and the recovery units at Fort Bliss.

Her recognition follows an October ceremony where three airmen and three soldiers, including Sgt. Kennedy L. Sanders and Sgt. Breonna Moffett (posthumously promoted), received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the same attack.

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