A U.S. Air Force tech sergeant died Saturday after falling while rappelling from the rafters of the Alamodome in San Antonio during a pregame demonstration for the annual “Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans” game, officials said. Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a 15-year veteran from Fort Stewart, Georgia, served as a Tactical Air Control Party instructor with the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2. Nellis Air Force Base announced his death, and the Air Force says an investigation is underway.

Spectators watched the demonstration shortly before Navy and UTSA were set to kick off, and Patterson was one of four service members scheduled to take part in the rappel. He was treated on the field for several minutes and then taken to a hospital. The game’s start was delayed about ten minutes, and UTSA went on to win 38-34. UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said the energy in the stadium disappeared after the fall.

Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills said the tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing. The incident raises real questions about the safety of pregame military demonstrations that are fixtures at stadiums across Texas and the country. For those of us here in Waxahachie, with so many military and first responder families in our community, this one hits close to home.

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