Air Force Member Dies in UTSA Pregame Rappelling Fall — SkimNews
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- The Air Force service member, assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2 at Nellis Air Force Base, died at a local hospital from injuries sustained in the fall, per Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs.
- Four officers were scheduled to rappel from the Alamodome rafters to the field 15 minutes before kickoff as part of UTSA's annual Salute to Armed Forces & Veterans game ceremony.
- The rappelling officer appeared to lose control while descending, sliding down the line and crashing to the turf; medical personnel attended on scene and transported him out on a stretcher.
- UTSA activated well-being services for faculty, staff, and students after the incident; kickoff was delayed 10 minutes and the game was played as scheduled.
- The university said in a statement it was 'deeply saddened' and offered 'heartfelt thoughts and prayers' to the service member, his family, and his military colleagues.
- The incident remains under investigation; the Air Force has not released the service member's identity.
Why it matters: The death occurred during UTSA's 'Salute to Armed Forces & Veterans' ceremony—a game specifically designed to honor service members—and the incident is now under investigation. The service member was assigned to a Combat Training Squadron unit, with rappelling falling within his unit's mission expertise.
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