Airman Dies After Losing Control During Pregame Rappel at UTSA-Navy Game

A Tribute to Service Turns Tragic

What was supposed to be a tribute to America’s military became a heartbreaking scene Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The incident happened shortly before the college football game between the UTSA Roadrunners and the Navy Midshipmen. The game was part of UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans event, which honors military personnel, veterans, and their families.

About 15 minutes before kickoff, four service members from Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron prepared to rappel from the stadium rafters. The Air Force unit trains tactical air control party specialists at Joint Base San Antonio and Camp Bullis. About halfway down, one service member accelerated uncontrollably, slid rapidly down the line, and struck the field near midfield. Emergency medical personnel rushed onto the field and attended to him for about 10 minutes before removing him on a stretcher. He was later transported to a local hospital.

Pregame Fall Captured on Video

Video of the incident shows a military member falling during the rappel before the game. Breaking911 shared the footage with a viewer-discretion warning. The post said the service member was taken to the hospital as a priority-one transport, though the extent of his injuries was unclear at the time. The demonstration was part of the pregame observance and included presenting the colors.

Air Force Confirms the Airman’s Death

The U.S. Air Force has revealed that the airman died from injuries suffered in the fall. Nellis Air Force Base said the unidentified officer was from the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2. The airman’s identity has not been released.

A Nellis spokesperson said, The incident is under investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available.

A military member fell while rappelling to present the colors before Saturday’s UTSA–Navy game at the Alamodome. The patient was taken to the hospital as a priority-one transport; the extent of their injuries is unclear. https://t.co/x3umwndMG0

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 18, 2026

Having trouble? If your comment doesn’t post, submit another comment right after it that says: Jimmy, please approve my comment that didn’t post.