Local Serviceman Dies In Middle East Non-Combat Incident

A serviceman from Corona died Wednesday while deployed in support of U.S. military operations in the Middle East, according to the Department of
Defense.

Senior Airman Michael John Hinkle II, 24, died during a “non-combat incident,'' according to a Pentagon statement.

Hinkle, who joined the Air Force in 2005, was assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron of the 386th Expeditionary Wing, headquartered at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our fellow airman,'' said Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, commander of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth. "Mike will be missed by all of us, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.''

Air Force officials refused to elaborate on the cause of death, saying only that an investigation was under way.

The airman's exact whereabouts at the time also were not disclosed.

According to the Air Force, Hinkle, a cyber transport systems specialist, was deployed in support of Operation New Dawn -- the name of the mission that replaced Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2010. --City News Service