Kadena mourns logistics airman who died at off-base home on Okinawa

Staff Sgt. Devin Bandow of the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron has been identified as the U.S. airman who died at an off-base residence on Okinawa. Kadena Air Base is home to the Air Force’s 18th Wing on Okinawa. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes) The U.S. airman who died Wednesday night at an off-base residence on Okinawa was Staff Sgt. Devin Bandow of the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron, according to a Friday news release from the 18th Wing. The wing first announced the death Thursday, reporting that an airman had died just before midnight. The cause of death was not disclosed, and the incident remained under investigation. The Friday release identified Bandow but did not provide his age, hometown or additional details about his miliary service.

The wing acknowledged email and telephone inquiries Friday but did not immediately provide further information. “His passing has hit us all hard,” squadron commander Lt. Col. Broderick Morris said in Friday’s release. “We are honored to have served alongside him, and our hearts are with his family, friends and teammates.” The wing encouraged those affected by Bandow’s death to seek assistance from unit leadership, base chaplains or medical professionals. Brian McElhiney is a reporter for Stars and Stripes based in Okinawa, Japan. He has worked as a music reporter and editor for publications in New Hampshire,