An Air Force service member died Saturday after falling while rappelling from the ceiling of San Antonio’s Alamodome during a pregame ceremony, before the University of Texas at San Antonio played Navy, CBS News reported.
Nellis Air Force Base identified him as Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a Tactical Air Control Party instructor assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio.
Patterson, originally from Fort Stewart, Georgia, had served in the Air Force for 15 years, the base said.
The fall happened before kickoff.
Citing witnesses, CBS affiliate KENS reported that he landed near the middle of the field. He was injured at the stadium and died later at a local hospital.
No cause has been announced, and the incident is under investigation.
CBS News said it had reached out to Nellis Air Force Base for additional comment.
The game between the UTSA Roadrunners and the Navy Midshipmen still went ahead. Afterward, the university said it was “deeply saddened” by the incident and was activating wellbeing services for faculty, staff and students who may have been emotionally affected by what they saw.
It said its thoughts and prayers were with his family and military colleagues.
Democrats, of course, are already going after Sec. Hegseth over the incident, as though he could control a tragic and unfortunate accident from taking place.
To be clear, these types of military demonstrations have been taking place under every administration for decades. This is not something that should be exploited for political gain.
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