An Air Force member from the region died Thursday in Germany from injuries that were not related to combat, the Department of Defense announced Friday.

Staff Sgt. James T. Grotjan, 26, a longtime Colchester resident, died at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center near the Ramstein Air Base. He was injured July 8 in an incident at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, the Defense Department said in the news release announcing his death. 

A Facebook page has been set up to raise funds for Grotjan and his wife, Taylor, and their family.

Grotjan graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, The Day reported in 2012. The son of Laura Prentice and Randy Grotjan, he was a 2010 graduate of Bacon Academy in Colchester. He had been assigned to the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, the Department of Defense release said.

In a joint statement issued late Friday, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both D-Conn., said “Our hearts go out to Staff Sergeant James Grotjan and his family and friends on this tragic day. We will be forever grateful for his sacrifice and service to our country."

"As we grieve the loss of one of Connecticut’s own, we are reminded of the unwavering courage, grit, and dedication of the men and women who serve our country every day," the senators said.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, also issued a statement late Friday, praising Grotjan's "critical work in the UAE as part of Operation Inherent Resolve to defend the civilized world," and saying the airman "deserves our deepest honor and respect. All of Connecticut mourns with his loved ones.”

No further information was immediately available.