The Pentagon on Dec. 26 released the name of SrA. Nicholas D. Eischen, who died in a noncombat related incident on Dec. 24 at Bagram Air Base. Eischen, 24, of Sanger, Calif., was deployed from the 60th Medical Operations Squadron at Travis AFB, Calif. The Air Force said an investigation has begun into the circumstances of his death.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.