U.S. airman Ronald Ouellette died in a non-combat related all-terrain vehicle accident in Kuwait on Monday.
The 23-year-old staff sergeant was based out of Westover Air Reserve Base in Massachusetts and was a resident of New Hampshire.
The crash took place on the flight line at Ali Al Salem Air Base, but its cause is still being investigated.
“Ronald was a valued member of the Patriot Wing and there are no words that can heal the pain his loss brings,” Col. Craig Peters, commander of the 439th Airlift Wing, said in a statement on Wednesday. “We consider every Airman, civilian and dependent part of the team that makes all we do in the defense of our nation possible. The loss of our own, or any service member, is never easy. During this difficult time, our priority is to do all we can to lift and support his family, friends, fellow Airmen in his squadron and loved ones who are struggling.”
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu tweeted, “It is with sorrow that we have learned of the passing of Staff Sgt. Ronald Ouellette of Merrimack. All of NH mourns the loss of Staff Sgt. Ouellette, an American Hero, whose service to our country will never be forgotten. Our prayers are with his family.”
