News Blaze -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Tech. Sgt. James R. Hornbarger of Castle Rock, WA:

"Technical Sergeant James Hornbarger was a dedicated airman who served our country with pride and bravery. James' incredible selflessness and devotion to the ideas our nation was built upon are an inspiration. On behalf of all Californians, Maria and I send our deepest condolences to James' family, friends and fellow airmen during this difficult time."

Hornbarger, 33, died September 12 as a result of a non-hostile incident in the Mediterranean. He was assigned to the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, U.S. Air Force, Beale Air Force Base, CA.

Tech Sgt. James R. Hornbarger, 33, who enlisted in the military in Castle Rock, Cowlitz County, in 1996, died Sept. 12 as a result of a nonhostile incident, the DOD said.

Hornbarger, a California resident who grew up in Nevada, was assigned to the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, north of Sacramento. He was stationed in Cyprus at the time of his death.

He has a wife, Tara Hornbarger, and daughter, Asia, in Marysville, Calif. His mother and stepfather, Linda and Richard Raab, live in Yakima, and an aunt, Donna Walt, lives in Longview.