Air Force announces death of servicemember in United Arab Emirates

The U.S. Air Force on Saturday announced the death of a servicemember who was killed in a noncombat incident in the United Arab Emirates Friday.

The Air Force said in a statement Saturday that Cpt. Kelliann Leli, 30, of Parlin, N.J., died in a noncombat- related vehicle incident at Al Dhafra Air Base. It is still investigating the circumstances of the incident. 

Leli had been assigned to the 60th Healthcare Operations Squadron at Travis Air Force Base in California. 

Troops at Al Dhafra Air Base are deployed to take part in missions with allied forces and undergo training.

The military last week deployed F-16s and airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany to the base under a “dynamic force employment.” The deployment came amid heightening tensions with Iran, which were further inflamed this week after the assassination of a top nuclear scientist there. No country has taken responsibility for the killing.