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.
The Air Force is planning to invest nearly $1.7 billion to continue modernizing the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers over the next five years, revising earlier plans to retire those aircraft before the B-21 Raider is fielded in bulk.