Overview
- Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson fell during a public rappelling demonstration at the Alamodome before the UTSA–Navy game on Saturday, Oct. 17, and later died at a hospital.
- On Oct. 23 the 6th Combat Training Squadron suspended all rappelling and ropes training and demonstrations for its unit until further notice while investigators review the incident.
- Air Force officials have opened an investigation and are withholding operational details to avoid affecting the probe, and they declined to say whether other units are affected.
- Patterson was a 15-year Air Force veteran and a Tactical Air Control Party instructor who won the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year in 2022, and fundraisers are helping his wife and two young sons.
- Rappelling and fast-rope work are core skills for TACP teams used to move personnel from heights; the pause is likely to prompt checks of demonstration procedures, safety roles, and equipment for public events.