A lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force serving in the United Arab Emirates was found dead Monday in Abu Dhabi, according to
Fox News.
Authorities have opened an investigation into the cause.
First Lt. Anais A. Tobar, 25, died from a non-combat related injury,
reports CBS Miami. She was in the UAE as part of Operation Inherent Resolve against the Islamic State terrorist group and was assigned to the Fourth Maintenance Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, before being deployed to Abu Dhabi.
The squadron is responsible for the equipment of the largest F-15E Strike Eagle fighter wing in the Air Force, according to the
Air Force Times.
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Tobar grew up in the Miami area, attending Osceola High School in Kissimmee followed by Florida State University.
Mercy McGee, a friend of the family, told the
Miami Herald that six Air Force officers delivered the news to Tobar's mother Monday afternoon.
"There are not enough words to tell you what a loving and wonderful girl she was," McGee said. "She was God-fearing, deeply devoted to serving others and her country."
"The entire base joins me in sending our deepest sympathies to the Tobar family during this period of bereavement," Col. Christopher Sage, Fourth Fighter Wing commander at Seymour Johnson, said in a statement. "The bonds that tie the Air Force family together are strong, both down-range and at home station. This tragedy affects us all; put your arm around those who are grieving, both personally and professionally."