Cannon Air Force Base 27th Special Operations Wing mourns loss of deployed airman

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (KAMR/KCIT) – Officials with Cannon Air Force Base announced that 28-year-old U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tristen Wright of Palm Bay, Florida died on Aug. 15 in “a non-combat-related incident at an undisclosed location.”

According to officials with Cannon Air Force Base, Wright was assigned to the 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron and was deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Officials noted the incident remains under investigation.

“Tristen was a force for good within the 27 SOLRS and beyond,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Brent Escay, 27th SOLRS commander “He was the kind of supervisor who took the privilege of leading and mentoring Airmen seriously. He cared deeply for the Airmen in his flight and volunteered actively within the local community. We’ll never forget how his infectious smile could light up a room.”

Officials stated that Wright enlisted on Aug. 23, 2016, and had been assigned to the 27th SOLRS as a material management specialist since 2019. Wright was previously assigned to the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Kadena Air Force Base in Japan, from 2017 to 2019.

Cannon Air Force Base officials stated that Wright had many decorations including a U.S. Air and Space Force Commendation Medal, a U.S. Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters and “C” devices, an Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster, a Global War on Terrorism Medal and a National Defense Service Medal.

“These are our most difficult days. Tristen had a positive impact across the entire Cannon family and local community,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Johnston, 27th Special Operations Wing commander. “We are committed to taking care of Tristen`s family and teammates affected by this tragedy. His family and friends remain in our thoughts and prayers.”

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