Pentagon: U.S. soldier deployed to Kuwait dies in non-combat-related incident

May 26 (UPI) -- An Air Force officer stationed in Kuwait has died in a non-combat related incident, the Pentagon said.

The officer was identified Thursday in a statement by the Department of Defense as Major Stephen Khou of Philadelphia, Pa.

Officials said he died in a "non-combat related incident" at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

The incident is under investigation.

The 36-year-old was stationed at Kuwait's Camp Arifjan in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. military's mission to defeat the Islamic State terrorist group in areas of Iraq and Syria.

Khou was assigned to the 32nd Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa., issued a statement Thursday on Twitter mourning the airman's death.

"Our prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time," he said.

Pentagon officials made the announcement a day after a U.S. Central solider died during a non-combat-related vehicle accident at Udairi Range, Kuwait.

The incident is also under investigation, U.S. Army Central said in a statement.

According to the Congressional Research Service, more than 13,000 U.S. military personnel along with "substantial quantities of military equipment" have been deployed to Kuwait, a key location in the northern Persian Gulf.