National Guard soldier passes away in Iraq due to a ‘non-combat’ incident shortly after Christmas

An Indiana Army National Guard soldier died in a “non-combat related incident” in Iraq just days after Christmas, the National Guard confirmed to Fox News.

The National Guard said Capt. Eric Richard Hart, 34, of Indianapolis, Indiana, died on December 28 while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in the Middle East.

The National Guard did not reveal what led to Hart’s death, only saying the incident is under investigation. 

Hart was assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Battalion, 38th Infantry Division, Indiana National Guard, according to the National Guard.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Defense for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. 

The U.S. announced plans to shrink the U.S. “footprint” in Iraq and end the current mission of coalition forces — including the Kurds — to fight ISIS, but declined to say how many of the 2,500 troops currently stationed there would remain. 

The current mission is now set to end by September 2025, with a plan to keep the number of forces on the Iraqi side to back up the 900 U.S. troops in Syria until at least 2026. 

Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips contributed to this report. 

Stepheny Price is writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]