The Air Force has identified the service member who died after falling during a pregame rappelling demonstration at Saturday’s University of Texas at San Antonio football game against Navy.
Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a 15-year Air Force veteran, was a Tactical Air Control Party instructor assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio, officials with Nellis Air Force Base said in a statement.
Patterson was descending from the Alamodome’s rafters during an aerial demonstration as part of UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game. He was one of four service members taking part in the pre-game show.
After the fall, Patterson was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead.
Patterson was a Tactical Air Control Party Instructor from Fort Stewart, Georgia, according to the Air Force. He was assigned to the Air Force’s 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2.
In addition to being award with multiple decorations, the Air Force in 2022 named Patterson Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters level.
“Tech. Sgt. Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing, and to the family, friends, and teammates who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him,” Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, 57th Wing commander, said in a statement. “Our team is now focused on standing beside Ian’s family, loved ones, and fellow Airmen as we navigate this profound loss together.”
The incident is under investigation.
Texas politics is a mess. We make it a readable mess.
Sign up for San Antonio Current’s new “Texas Politics This Week” newsletter.
Sign Up for SA Current newsletters.
Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed
