Base airman dies in Kuwait

A 366th Fighter Wing Airman died Sept. 20 while deployed to southwest Asia.

Senior Airman Matthew R. Courtois, 366th Security Forces Squadron, died as a result of non-combat related injuries while on duty at Abdullah al Mubarak Air Base in Kuwait. The base is located at Kuwait International Airport.

The airman was on his second deployment to southwest Asia since arriving at the base in July 2007. Mountain Home AFB was his first duty station.

He was one of dozens of security forces airmen that left Mountain Home as part of a standard six-month tour of duty to various bases throughout southwest Asia. Security forces units are typically some of the most heavily tasked in the Air Force and assigned throughout the war zones.

Airman Courtois, 22, of Lucas, Texas, is survived by his wife, Cheyenne, and two stepchildren.

The circumstances surrounding the incident have not been disclosed and are under investigation.