The family of an Air Force officer and Osceola High School graduate who died while deployed in southwest Asia described her Thursday as always smiling and pursuing her dream.

1st Lt. Anais Tobar, a member of the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, died Monday.

  • Tobar was an Osceola High grad, attended FSU
  • Tobar described as 'outstanding'
  • Tobar died of non-combat-related injuries

The Defense Department said Tobar died from non-combat-related injuries while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led operation against the Islamic State group.

Her family, living in Miami, says Tobar left all who met her smiling.

“She was always smiling; she had a huge smile," said brother Alejandro Tobar. "She was always laughing.”

A 2009 graduate of Osceola High, Tobar's Junior ROTC instructor remembered her as "outstanding."

“It hurts,” Maj. Jeffrey Miller said. “She was one of our commanders. She was an outstanding cadet. Everyone loved her.”

Her mother is heartbroken.

"We lost half of our lives," Ana Maria Tobar said.

The only comfort family and friends have is that Tobar died doing what she loved: serving her country.

“What she wanted to do in life is to be in the Air Force, be an officer, travel around, see things all over the world," Miller said, "and she got to live her dream."

Tobar's death is under investigation by the DOD.