Air Force Identifies Airman Killed in Alamodome Rappel Fall Before UTSA-Navy Game
Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a 15-year Air Force veteran from Georgia, died Saturday after falling about 170 feet during a pregame fast-rope demonstration at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The military says an investigation is underway.
The U.S. airman killed in a fast-rope demonstration before a college football game in Texas has been identified as Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a 15-year Air Force veteran from Georgia, military officials said.
Patterson plunged about 170 feet from the rafters of the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday during a pregame rappelling demonstration ahead of the University of Texas at San Antonio’s game against Navy. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show him sliding uncontrollably down the rope.
Patterson was one of four service members scheduled to take part in the demonstration, which was tied to the pregame coin toss during the annual “Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans” game. He was treated on the field for about 10 minutes before being taken to a hospital, where he died.
A decorated career
Patterson was a Tactical Air Control Party instructor assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio, and a native of Fort Stewart, Georgia. The Air Force said he earned the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, along with the Army Commendation Medal, the Air and Space Achievement Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. In 2022 he was named the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level.
“This tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing,” said Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, the wing’s commander. “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,” Mills said.
Game delayed, investigation underway
Officials delayed the start of the game by about 10 minutes. UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said players could see the effect on the crowd of more than 23,000 as they arrived on the field. “You could tell the energy was just gone,” Traylor said. UTSA went on to win the game 38-34.
The military says an investigation into the fall is underway. A university spokesperson told the San Antonio Express-News the school was deeply saddened by the incident and was activating wellbeing services for faculty, staff, and students affected by it.
Reporting based on coverage by CNN and the New York Post.
