23-year-old Fil-Am airman dies in on-base accident

NEW YORK — A Filipino-American member of the US Air Force assigned to Vandenberg Space Force Base died in an on-base accident, the base announced.

According to a statement from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna was operating heavy equipment when it rolled down an embankment.

The official cause of death has not yet been determined by the Santa Barbara County Coroner's Office. Authorities said additional details will be withheld until the investigation is complete.

Eneluna, 23, of Bacolod City, joined the US Air Force on March 5, 2024, and arrived at Vandenberg for his first duty assignment on Aug. 2, 2024. He spent his childhood in the Philippines but later moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina, which he considered his hometown.

According to the base, Eneluna "served with professionalism, humility, and an unwavering commitment to his teammates and the mission.

"During his assignment at Vandenberg, he earned the respect and admiration of those around him through his positive attitude, tireless work ethic, and willingness to help others," it added.

"Our Vandenberg family is grieving alongside Cedric's loved ones and his teammates," said US Space Force Colonel James T. Horne III, commander of Space Launch Delta 30 and Vandenberg Space Force Base.

"He made a lasting impression on his teammates through his character, dedication, and genuine care for others. On behalf of Team Vandenberg, I extend my deepest condolences to Cedric's family, friends, and fellow Airmen during this incredibly difficult time."

The family has been notified of the tragic accident, and units at Vandenberg are supporting a Safety Investigation Board as it examines the circumstances surrounding the incident. — BM, GMA News