ع
The US Air Force identified the deceased service member as Tech Sgt. Ian Patterson, a tactical air control party instructor from Fort Stewart, Georgia, who had served for 15 years. Patterson was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio and had been recognized as the Air Force special warfare enlisted instructor of the year in 2022, Nellis Air Force Base said in a statement issued the day after the incident. His decorations included the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters along with the Army Commendation Medal, Air and Space Achievement Medal and Army Achievement Medal each with one oak leaf cluster according to the base release.
The demonstration at the Alamodome formed part of UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game and involved four airmen from the same squadron who were to fast-rope from the stadium rafters to the midfield turf. Patterson lost control during his descent from a height of roughly 170 feet and fell feet first at full speed in what witnesses and video described as an uncontrolled slide down the line, the Guardian reported after reviewing footage posted to social media. Fans in the stands and a band assembled on the field reacted with audible gasps as the airman slammed into the ground during the pregame event that preceded the matchup with Navy.
Medical personnel immediately responded and treated Patterson on the field for approximately 10 minutes before transporting him from the Alamodome on a gurney and then by ambulance to a local hospital, the San Antonio Fire Department told local outlets. He was pronounced dead at the facility from injuries sustained in the fall, Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs confirmed on October 18. The Air Force has opened a full investigation into the equipment, procedures and circumstances surrounding the fatal descent.
UTSA President Taylor Eighmy stated that what had been planned as a day of camaraderie, tradition and celebration was instead marked by profound sadness. The American Athletic Conference decided to proceed with the game after the roughly 10-minute delay to mitigate speculation while Patterson’s medical status remained unclear, conference officials said in a statement that also extended condolences to his family, friends, teammates and members of the 57th Wing. The Roadrunners ultimately defeated the Midshipmen by a final score of 38-34.
Members of the 6th Combat Training Squadron train tactical air control party specialists who embed with Army and Marine units to coordinate air and artillery strikes from forward locations, an Air Force overview of the unit details. That preparation routinely includes mastering rapid rope descents from helicopters or other elevated points at heights of 100 feet or greater, Stars and Stripes noted in its reporting on the squadron’s mission. The pregame exhibition at the Alamodome was designed to showcase those capabilities during the military appreciation event.
US Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, commander of the 57th Wing, said in the Nellis Air Force Base statement that this tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing. Mills added that Tech Sgt Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing. The incident has prompted renewed attention to safety protocols for such public demonstrations that mirror the high-risk training conducted by the squadron.
