The Pentagon on Dec. 26 released the name of SrA. Nicholas D. Eischen, who died in a noncombat related incident on Dec. 24 at Bagram Air Base. Eischen, 24, of Sanger, Calif., was deployed from the 60th Medical Operations Squadron at Travis AFB, Calif. The Air Force said an investigation has begun into the circumstances of his death.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
