The Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma has refused to disclose the causes of death for 17 base personnel this year, Military.com reported.
Tinker Air Force Base told the Daily Caller News Foundation that 11 of the 17 deaths reported were the result of “natural causes and accidents” and said that several deaths were still under investigation. Multiple social media posts, as well as a source tied to the base, alleged that the Tinker Air Force Base has been afflicted by a number of suicides, according to Military.com.
“Tinker Air Force Base experienced 17 deaths since January of this year. Eleven of the lost uniformed and civilian Airmen died as a result of natural causes or accidents. The six remaining losses are a result of other causes, some of which remain under investigation. Most of those lost were civilians,” Col. Abigail Ruscetta, Tinker Installation commander, told the DCNF. “Each and every death, either by suicide or some other means, is a tragedy. Following each loss of life, leaders from the affected unit engaged with their people to acknowledge the loss of a valued teammate. We offered many avenues of support, including a network of helping agencies, mental health counselors, chaplains, and Military Family Readiness professionals.”
There is no policy that prohibits releasing the number of deaths at Air Force bases, according to Department of the Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek, Military.com reported. (RELATED: Biden Taps Next General To Lead The Air Force)
“We are losing far too many to suicide. Suicide is tragic and senseless. It is 100% preventable. This allows our military force to be stronger and more mentally fit” – Teri and Patrick Caserta (@BrandoncasertaF) https://t.co/zZVoe2DhIq
— The Mental Health Coalition (@mentalhealthcln) May 3, 2023
Several other branches of the military have been swift in identifying deaths and suspected suicides, according to Military.com. The Army and bipartisan lawmakers brought attention to several suicides of service members stationed in Alaska in 2022, and – when inquired – the Navy immediately confirmed to Military.com the deaths and suspected suicides aboard the USS George Washington and USS Theodore Roosevelt.
Teri Caserta, the mother of a Navy sailor who died by suicide in 2018, said that the base needs to be held accountable for releasing details about the deaths. Caserta helped spearhead the creation of the Brandon Act – named after Castera’s late son – which allows military service members to confidentially seek mental health treatment.
“Tinker does not have to disclose the names of the airmen/women who have died, but I believe we as citizens who have service members and who have children looking into serving our country deserve to know why and how airmen/women are dying,” Caserta said in an email Wednesday, according to Military.com. “We need to know that the Air Force takes all deaths as seriously as they claim and, if there is toxicity within the ranks at Tinker, they all should be held accountable for these deaths whether they are suicides or not.”
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include comment from Col. Abigail Ruscetta, Tinker Installation commander.
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