The Air Force on Tuesday identified the airman who died at Andersen AFB, Guam, on Dec. 13 as 22-year-old SrA. Jeremy Jutba-Hake of Hawaii. Jutba-Hake, assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan, collapsed during post-flight duties after a training mission. First responders took him to US Navy Hospital Guam, where he was pronounced dead at 7:12 p.m., according to a release. The cause of death is under investigation. “This is a tragic and sad time for Team Yokota and Team Andersen—we lost a true warrior, a wingman, and our friend. Jeremy was a devoted and passionate airman, always ready to go the extra mile to assist others and perform his absolute best,” said Col. Douglas DeLaMater, commander of the 374th Airlift Wing. Jutba-Hake joined the Air Force in December 2011. He was at Andersen supporting Operation Christmas Drop 2015.
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.
