3 US Trainers Killed in Exchange of Gun Fire at Jordan Air Base

Three U.S. military trainers were killed by Jordanian security forces in an exchange of gun fire at an air base Friday, U.S. officials said.

One of the service members was dead at the scene, and two died at a hospital in Amman after being transferred to the hospital.

A Jordanian military statement said trainers were in a car that failed to stop at the gate while approaching the Al-Jar air force base in Southern Jordan. It added that a Jordanian officer was also wounded in the gun fire.

The U.S. embassy acknowledged a “security incident involving U.S. personnel” and said it was in contact with the appropriate Jordanian authorities, but did not provide more details.

Jordan receives financial assistance from the United States and is a key ally, being a member of the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State militants in neighboring Syria and Iraq.