Air Force Tech. Sgt. James R. Hornbarger

Died September 12, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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33, of Castle Rock, Wash.; assigned to the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; died Sept. 12 as a result of a heart attack on the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea.

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Dedicated, selfless airman

The Associated Press

James Hornbarger was described as a dedicated and selfless airman who died supporting operations in Afghanistan.

“James’ incredible selflessness and devotion to the ideas our nation was built upon are an inspiration,” California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement after Hornbarger’s death.

Hornbarger, 33, died Sept. 12 as a result of a nonhostile incident in the Mediterranean.

He was assigned to the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base, Calif., and he had ties to Washington state, where his mother and stepfather, Linda and Richard Raab, of Yakima, live.

Hornbarger, who enlisted in the military in 1996, was stationed in Cyprus when he died.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather; and his wife, Tara, and daughter, Asia, in Marysville, Calif.