Hubbard native one of six deaths at airbase in past year

The commander of an Air Force base in Japan has posted a video on social media to quell rumors and ease fears following the death of a Hubbard native whose body was discovered earlier this week.

A one-and-a-half minute video message posted by 347^th Airlift Wing Commander Andrew Campbell on the Yokota Air Base Facebook page Thursday does not specifically mention the name of Trevor Balint.  However, Cmdr. Campbell opens his video by stating that six members of the base have died over the past 12 months.

According to family members, Balint was found unresponsive on the base Tuesday where he lived with his wife Britni.

According to the air base's website, Balint was pronounced dead by medical personnel on the scene.

The cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the death of Balint, who disappeared on February 1, are currently under investigation.

Airbase officials are also investigating following the death of a base member’s wife, Kayla Ash, who died on February 9 while the search for Balint was still ongoing.

Details of the woman’s death have not been released pending the medical examiner’s official determination of cause and manner of death.

Then, as they did following the discovery of Balint’s body, base officials said there is no indication of any risk to the community.

Commander Campbell said in his message that the investigations may take several months.

“The integrity of these investigations prevents us from prematurely sharing many of the details about each case. And even when complete, many details may not be released out of respect for the deceased and his or her loved ones,” said Campbell.

The investigation into the deaths has brought criticism from people on social media and Balint’s mother, Kathy Balint, who posted a message expressing disappointment that it took base investigators sixteen days to locate her son.

 The family says Balint’s body is being flown to Hawaii for an autopsy.

A transcript of Commander Campbell’s entire video message may be read below:

Team Yakota, over the past 12 months, our base has experienced the deaths of six members.

First and foremost, I want to express my sincere condolences to the families and friends who have lost loved ones this year.

I also want to reassure our community that these deaths, while each tragic, reflect no known danger to our community at large.

I ask for the public’s patience and understanding, especially regarding information about the circumstances surrounding any death in our community.

In all cases of death, the Air Force Office of Special Investigation conducts a thorough investigation.

These investigations take time and may take several months.

The integrity of these investigations prevents us from prematurely sharing many of the details about each case. And even when complete, many details may not be released out of respect for the deceased and his or her loved ones.

Again, I'll stress that any danger to the community that investigation might discover would have been or will be appropriately addressed.

I ask that you rely on credible sources of information. The 374th Public Affairs Office speaks for me and the wing and can be counted on to deliver facts. Not sensationalism or speculation.

And finally, I ask that you keep faith in our law enforcement teams; the men and women of our Security Forces Squadron, the Office of Special Investigation, and our host nation's police forces.

Day and night they embody service before self as they vigilantly provide for our community's safety and security.