An airman from Palm Bay died on Thursday, according to the Department of Defense.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tristen Wright, 28, died in a non-combat related incident at an undisclosed location, the DOD said in a news release.
Wright was assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing (SOW) at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico and was working to support Operation Inherent Resolve, described as a combined task force meant to secure the defeat of ISIS.
The incident is still under investigation, the news release states.
According to the 27th SOW, Wright enlisted Aug. 23, 2016. He was assigned to the 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron (SOLRS) in 2019 as a materiel management specialist, having previously been assigned to the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Kadena Air Force Base, Japan, from 2017 to 2019.
“Tristen was a force for good within the 27 SOLRS and beyond,” U.S. Air Force Maj. Brent Escay, 27th SOLRS commander, said in a statement. “He was the kind of supervisor who took the privilege of leading and mentoring Airmen seriously. He cared deeply for the Airmen in his flight and volunteered actively within the local community. We’ll never forget how his infectious smile could light up a room.”
Wright’s decorations include a U.S. Air and Space Force Commendation Medal, a U.S. Air Force Achievement Medal — with two oak leaf clusters and “C” devices — an Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster, a Global War on Terrorism Medal and a National Defense Service Medal, according to the 27th SOW, adding he had previously deployed in Operation Resolute Support.
“These are our most difficult days. Tristen had a positive impact across the entire Cannon family and local community,” U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Johnston, 27th SOW commander, said in a statement. “We are committed to taking care of Tristen’s family and teammates affected by this tragedy. His family and friends remain in our thoughts and prayers.”
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