SrA. Michael J. Hinkle II, 24, of Corona, Calif., died last week due to a non-combat-related incident in Southwest Asia, according to the Defense Department. Hinkle died March 16; the cause of his death is under investigation, stated DOD in a release. Hinkle was assigned to Ellsworth AFB, S.D., as a cyber transport systems journeyman with the 28th Communications Squadron. He was deployed to an undisclosed air base in Southwest Asia as a member of the 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our fellow airman,” said Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, Ellsworth’s 28th Bomb Wing commander, in a release. He added, “Mike will be missed by all of us, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.” (See last week’s initial coverage.)
The Air Force is moving forward with a new, algorithm-driven system to help U.S. Northern Command better detect airborne threats. NORTHCOM and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which are tasked with protecting the homeland from attack, depend on a slew of radars and other data systems to monitor U.S.…