Mountain Home Airman Dies During Hike In Bruneau Canyon

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Authorities have released the name of the airman from Mountain Home Air Force Base who died in a fall in a southwestern Idaho canyon. The 366th Fighter Wing says Airman 1st Class Alexander L.

Van Meter died while hiking in Bruneau Canyon on Sunday. The 22-year-old from Herscher, Ill., was an electro-environmental technician in the 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. The Idaho Army National Guard used a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to recover his body.

The commander of the 366th Fighter Wing, Col. Chris Short, called the death a tragedy and the loss of a valued member of the unit. Owyhee County Coroner Aaron Tines says he was notified of the death at about 5 p.m. Sunday. The cause of death remains under investigation.