MSgt. David L. Poirier, 52, of North Smithfield, R.I., died on Feb. 28 in a non-combat-related incident while deployed supporting US military operations in Afghanistan, announced the Pentagon on Monday. The cause of his death is under investigation, states the release. Poirier was a member of the New Hampshire Air National Guard’s 157th Operations Support Squadron at Pease ANGB, N.H. San Diego’s KPBS public broadcasting station reported that Poirier had arrived at al Udeid AB, Qatar, the day prior to his death.
Poor event planning and staffing contributed to a fatal mishap last April at Kadena Air Base, Japan, when rotor wash from an HH-60W helicopter knocked over a Japanese teacher from a Department of Defense Education Activity school attending a public aerial demonstration, according to an Air Force investigation.
