Yokota Air Base is home of the 374th Airlift Wing, 5th Air Force and U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo. (Stars and Stripes)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The Air Force has identified an airman who was found dead Wednesday in Shimoda, a resort town about 2 ½ hours south of this airlift hub in western Tokyo.

Senior Airman John C. Fernandez-Buestan, 23, of Corona, N.Y., was a radio operations technician assigned to the 374th Communications Squadron, the 374th Airlift Wing said in a statement Friday.

Fernandez-Buestan had been stationed at Yokota since 2022, the announcment said.

“John was a well-loved and valued member of our unit, and his death has had a devastating effect on the squadron,” squadron commander Lt. Col. Jesse Nelson said in the statement. “My command team and I are focused on providing as much support as possible to his family, friends, and coworkers to help them during this tragic event.”

Details surrounding the death are under investigation, the statement said.

The statement directed those seeking support to consult their chain of command or visit a base webpage listing helping agencies, such as the chaplain, counselors, mental health and the legal office.

In addition to the wing, Yokota is home to 5th Air Force and U.S. Forces Japan.