The widow of a US Army soldier killed in Iraq has paid an emotional public tribute to her husband following his death during a military operation. Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton died while carrying out a controlled demolition of a downed Iranian drone, and his wife, Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, has since spoken publicly about the loss, describing the moment her life changed forever and honouring his devotion to his family, his country and his job.

In her tribute, Gonzalez-Swinton shared that the couple's young daughter believes her father has become an angel, and she thanked Swinton's Army unit and wider community for the support they have shown the family during what she described as a devastating time. The report does not specify the exact date or location of the incident within Iraq, nor further details of the operation beyond the fact it involved the disposal of an Iranian drone.