Airman 1st Class Sean Chase served as an aircraft services technician for the 730th Air Mobility Squadron at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo. (U.S. Air Force)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Authorities at this airlift hub in western Tokyo on Tuesday identified an airman found dead in a base dormitory over the weekend.
Airman 1st Class Sean Chase, 22, an aircraft services technician assigned to the 730th Air Mobility Squadron, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead Saturday morning, according to a 374th Airlift Wing news release.
Chase’s death is under investigation, the wing said.
“He was loved by those around him, and he loved those around him in return,” squadron commander Lt. Col. Shawn Cox said in the release. “He will be remembered for the light that he brought to the world, his dedication to the mission, and the positive impact he had on his fellow service members.”
Chase, of Raceland, La., had been stationed at Yokota since 2022, according to the release.
“Our thoughts are with Sean’s loved ones, teammates, and community,” wing commander Col. Richard McElhaney said in the release. “It is in difficult moments like these when we come together as Team Yokota to uplift and support each other. Support agencies and wingmen across the base stand ready to help those impacted, you are not alone.”
The message advised those seeking support to consult their chain of command or refer to a list of helping agencies on Yokota’s official website: https://www.yokota.af.mil/Resources.
