Airman dies following training mission

A Japan-based U.S. airman died Sunday at Andersen Air Force Base, following a training mission, according to the military.

The airman “was found unresponsive during post flight inspections,” an Air Force press release states.

The cause of death is under investigation.

The service member was from the 374th Airlift Wing based at Yokota Air Base in Japan.

Yokota airmen were on island to take part in the annual Operation Christmas Drop, air dropping gifts to 56 of the region’s remote, hard-to-reach islands.

In addition to the Yokota crew, Andersen airmen were joined by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force in the humanitarian aid and disaster relief training, which ended Monday.

The military has yet to publicly release the service member’s identity.

The military will withhold the identity until 24 hours after notification of next of kin.