The U.S. Army is investigating the death of a 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) soldier in Kuwait.
First Lt. Jeffrey D. Cooper, of Mill Creek, Washington, died Sept. 10 as a result of a vehicle rollover accident while traveling from Camp Buehring, Kuwait, to Ali Al Salem Air Base, according to an Army press release.
The death has been ruled a "non-combat related incident," but the cause of the accident is under investigation, according to the release.
Cooper, 25, was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne.
He was in Kuwait working to push new soldiers into Iraq to advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, said Master Sgt. Kevin Doheny, a 101st spokesman.
Cooper joined the Army in June 2013 and arrived at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in July 2015. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
The Army deployed about 500 101st Airborne soldiers to Iraq and Kuwait in early 2016 to advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces.
The 101st headquarters element assumed the role of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Iraq.
During the nine-month deployment, the division headquarters will provide command and control of coalition troops who are training, advising and assisting Iraqi forces as part of Inherent Resolve to fight militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.
-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.
