The U.S. Army has identified the Air Force officer who died after falling from the rafters of the Alamodome during a rappelling demonstration before the University of Texas at San Antonio’s (UTSA) home game against Navy on Saturday.
He was Technical Sergeant Ian Patterson, a Tactical Air Control Group instructor assigned to Combat Training Squadron Six, Detachment Two, at Joint Base San Antonio.
A statement released Sunday by the Air Force said Patterson – from Fort Stewart, Ga. – served for 15 years. He had been the Air Force Headquarters-level Special Warfare Instructor of the Year in 2022, according to the statement released by Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
“This tragedy is deeply felt,” said a statement attributed to U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Scott C Mills, commander of the branch’s 57th Wing. “Tech Sgt Patterson and his service have been extremely important to our wing and to the family, friends and teammates who had the privilege of knowing him and serving alongside him.
“Our team is now focused on standing with Ian’s family, loved ones and colleagues (Air Force members) as we navigate this profound loss together.
An investigation was underway after Patterson’s death into what led to his fall during a recall demonstration at UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game against Navy.
Video of the fall posted on social media showed Patterson, in combat gear, quickly descending to the ground, feet first. The fall occurred with fans in the stands and a group gathered nearby on the field.
He was treated on the field for several minutes and taken away on a stretcher.
In a statement after the game, UTSA offered counseling services to students and said, “We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred early in tonight’s game. Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with the affected Soldier, his family and fellow service members.”
Patterson was one of four soldiers scheduled to participate in the pre-game recall demonstration.
According to the Air Force, the service members participating in the booster demonstration were part of a team of specialists who integrate Army and Navy units and help direct air and artillery strikes from forward ground locations.
Part of their training includes learning to rapid drop with a rope, sometimes from helicopters 100 feet (about 30 meters) or more above the ground.
The game at the Alamodome in San Antonio was delayed about 10 minutes. After UTSA’s 38-34 victory, the American Athletic Conference to which the school’s football team belongs said it decided to continue the game “to alleviate speculation about (Patterson’s) health” while his condition remained unknown.
The conference statement said it wanted to avoid creating “additional distress” for Patterson’s family and was guided by respect for their privacy and adherence to the U.S. military’s process for notifying victims’ next of kin.
After the game, UTSA coach Jeff Traylor told reporters the accident was “heartbreaking” and “tragic.”
Traylor said the team could see the effect it had on the crowd of more than 23,000 as soon as the players took the field for the game, even though the coach had only been informed that there had been an “incident” that would delay the start of the game.
“You could tell the energy was gone,” he said. “It really puts things into perspective. It really does.”
Besides his recognition as 2022 Instructor of the Year, Patterson’s other accomplishments included earning the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters. He also received the Army Commendation Medal, the Air and Space Achievement Medal and the Army Achievement Medal, each with an oak leaf cluster, the Army announced Sunday.
“Our relationship with local community partners is extremely important to our Airmen, especially during difficult times like these,” Mills said, using a term the Air Force uses to refer to its members. “We are grateful to the San Antonio community and our mission partners at Joint Base San Antonio for the care, compassion and support they have shown.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Gn sports
