Airman from Lucas died over the weekend in a "non-hostile" incident in Kuwait.
By Danny Gallagher, McKinney Courier-Gazette

Published: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 6:24 PM CDT

Sr. Airman Matthew R. Courtois, 22, of Lucas died Sunday "as a result of a non-hostile incident on Abdullah Al Mubarak Airbase" in Kuwait. Courtois served under the 366th Security Forces Squadron of the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, according to a released statement.

Master Sgt. Drew Leonhard of the Mountain Home Air Force Base said the incident that led to Courtois' death is currently under investigation by an investigation board and he could not release any details surrounding the incident.

"It may be awhile before there is (further information released)," Leonhard said. "The investigation board can take up to 30 days."

Col. James. S. Browne, commander of the Mountain Home Air Force Base, offered his condolences to Courtois' family.

"Airman Courtois was a valued member of our Gunfighter team," Browne said in a released statement. "Matthew's passing is a huge loss for Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Air Force. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the Courtois'."

Courtois was on his second deployment to the region after arriving at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in July of 2007. Courtois, a native of Lucas, attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas in December of 2006 after graduating from high school. He headed to the technical school at the Lackland base for the "Security Forces Apprentice Course" and reported to the Mountain Home Base in Idaho in June of 2007. He served as a security forces patrolman as part of the Security Forces Alpha Flight, 366th Security Forces Squadron, according to military records released by the Mountain Home base.

Courtois was deployed to the Bucca Air Force Base in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom on June 10, 2007 where he served a full tour of duty until Feb. 10, 2008. He returned to the region as a response force leader and redeployed to Kuwait on July 25 in continuing support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to military records.

MOUNTAIN HOME NEWS
Monday, September 21, 2009
BASE AIRMAN DIES IN KUWAIT

366th Fighter Wing Airman died Sept. 20 while deployed to southwest Asia. Senior Airman Matthew R. Courtois, 366th Security Forces Squadron, died as a result of non-combat related injuries while on duty at Abdullah al Mubarak Air Base in Kuwait. The base is located at Kuwait International Airport. he airman was on his second deployment to southwest Asia since arriving at the base in July 2007. Mountain Home AFB was his first duty station. He was one of dozens of security forces airmen that left Mountain Home as part of a standard six-month tour of duty to various bases throughout southwest Asia. Security forces units are typically some of the most heavily tasked in the Air Force and assigned throughout the war zones. Airman Courtois, 22, of Lucas, Texas, is survived by his wife, Cheyenne, and two stepchildren.

 Remembered as a family man
The Associated Press
Matthew R. Courtois was a family man, whether he was chasing his two stepchildren, Shaundra and Kaden, or just hanging out with relatives and friends.
“He always carried a smile and determined to get the job done,” colleague Johannes Dias wrote in an online memorial, adding that the two had deployed together to Iraq.
Courtois, of Lucas, Texas, died Sept. 20 — a week before his three-month wedding anniversary — after a nonhostile incident at Abdullah Al Mubarak Airbase, Kuwait. The military was investigating his death and didn’t release details. The 22-year-old was assigned to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.
The son of Steve and Sue Courtois, he was born in Arizona and grew up in Lucas. He attended Allen High School in Allen, Texas, and joined the Air Force in January 2006.
Courtois, an Eagle Scout, loved being outdoors, building fires and shooting or playing paintball. He also enjoyed singing karaoke and playing video games on an Xbox. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Courtois is also survived by his wife, Cheyenne; a brother, John; and two sisters, Carrie and Amy.