Air Force 1st Lt. Anais A. Tobar. The Defense Department announced that Tobar died on Monday, July 18, 2016, of a non-combat-related injury. (U.S. Air Force photo)
MANAMA, Bahrain — The Defense Department announced Tuesday the death of an Air Force officer supporting the U.S. effort against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.
First Lt. Anais A. Tobar, 25, of Miami, Fla., died Monday from a non-combat-related injury, the Defense Department said in a statement. She was assigned to the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. She was deployed in April to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, where she was assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
The Miami Herald reported Tobar was found dead in her room. The circumstances surrounding her death are still being investigated. Tobar was commissioned into the Air Force in May 2013.
Longtime family friend Mercy McGee told the Miami Herald that Tobar was devoted to serving others and her country.
“There are not enough words to tell you what a loving and wonderful girl she was,” McGee said.
Friends and servicemembers who served alongside Tobar, posting on Facebook, remembered her as a wonderful friend who always had a smile and “infectious kindness.”
The 4th Fighter Wing commander expressed condolences on behalf of the unit.
“The entire base joins me in sending our deepest sympathies to the Tobar family during this period of bereavement,” Col. Christopher Sage said in a statement on the base’s website. “The bonds that tie the Air Force family together are strong, both downrange and at home station. This tragedy affects us all; put your arm around those who are grieving, both personally and professionally.”
Twitter: @CChurchStripes
