Air Force identifies sergeant who died in fast-rope demonstration fall
The Air Force identified Tech Sergeant Ian Patterson as the airman who died after falling more than 150 feet during a fast-rope demonstration at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The accident happened before UTSA’s game against Navy, and is under investigation.
Patterson, from Fort Stewart, Georgia, had served for 15 years and was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, which trains special warfare Airmen. He received several military awards and was named Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year in 2022. The game began after a 10-minute delay, with UTSA winning 38-34; the conference said officials decided to proceed before Patterson’s death was known.
- Tech Sergeant Ian Patterson died after a fall during a stadium demonstration.
- The accident happened before UTSA played Navy in San Antonio.
- The Air Force is investigating the incident.
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Fast-roping is a military technique in which personnel descend quickly from a helicopter using a thick rope, often as part of training or a public demonstration. The Air Force is the US military service responsible for air operations, and its special warfare units train for demanding missions on land and in the air.
Tech Sergeant Ian Patterson served in the 6th Combat Training Squadron, which trains Air Force special warfare personnel. His 15 years of service included recognition as the service’s Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year in 2022.
The Alamodome is a large stadium in San Antonio, Texas, and hosts college football games as well as other events. Demonstrations there can bring military training into a public setting, while an investigation into a fatal accident may examine how the activity was planned and carried out.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Airman who died from horrific 150ft fall during rappelling accident at college football game is identified”.