Khou, Stephen

Also known as: MAJ, 32ND WEAPONS SQUADRON, NELLIS AFB, NV (ACC)

Combatant

Male Verified

DiedMay 24, 2023

Age36 years old

Location of DeathCAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

Cause of DeathSelf-inflicted gunshot wound (non-combat incident, under investigation)

Conflict Operation Inherent Resolve

Maj. Stephen Khou, 36, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a U.S. Air Force officer serving with the 32nd Weapons Squadron. He died on May 24, 2023, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Their Story

Maj. Stephen Khou was a 36-year-old officer in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to the 32nd Weapons Squadron, an aggressor training unit based at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, which is part of Air Combat Command. Khou was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

According to the Department of Defense, Khou died on May 24, 2023, at Camp Arifjan, a U.S. Army base in Kuwait. The official release stated he was killed in a non-combat related incident, which was under investigation. The Air Force later confirmed the cause was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Khou was deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led military intervention against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. The operation began in August 2014 following ISIS's seizure of large territories, including the city of Mosul. U.S. and coalition forces provided air support, training, and advisory assistance to local partner forces.

Following his death, the 57th Wing at Nellis AFB released a statement mourning the loss. Col. William H. Gunter, commander of the 57th Wing, called Khou a 'valued member' of the team and extended condolences to his family and colleagues. The incident highlighted ongoing concerns about service member welfare during deployments.

Maj. Khou's legacy is tied to his service with a squadron responsible for training other pilots in advanced air combat tactics. His death is recorded among the non-hostile fatalities of Operation Inherent Resolve. He is memorialized on official U.S. military casualty lists.