San Antonio — Air Force Names Airman Killed in Alamodome Rappel Fall

The U.S. Air Force has identified the airman who died after falling from the rafters of the Alamodome during a pregame rappelling demonstration as Tech Sgt. Ian Patterson, according to a Guardian report citing a statement issued Sunday by Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

Who was Tech Sgt. Ian Patterson?

Patterson, of Fort Stewart, Georgia, served in the Air Force for 15 years, the service's statement said. He worked as a tactical air control party instructor assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio. In 2022, Patterson was named the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level, according to the statement.

Tactical air control party airmen embed with ground combat units to coordinate close air support, a role that requires rappelling, parachute and combat-skills certifications maintained through recurring field and demonstration training. Instructors assigned to training squadrons, such as the 6th Combat Training Squadron, are responsible for teaching and evaluating those skills, including rope and rappelling techniques used in both operational settings and public demonstrations.

What happened before the UTSA-Navy game?

Patterson fell from the rafters of the Alamodome on Saturday during a rappelling demonstration staged before the University of Texas at San Antonio's home football game against Navy, part of the school's annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game, the Guardian reported. A video posted on social media and described in the report showed Patterson, dressed in combat fatigues, descending rapidly to the ground feet first. The fall occurred with fans already in the stands and a marching band assembled on the field, according to the report.

The Guardian's report did not specify the height of the fall, the rigging or rope system in use, or whether other airmen completed the same descent without incident. Those details are expected to surface as the service's investigation proceeds.

Who investigates a fall like this, and what happens next?

An investigation was underway as of Sunday's statement into what led to Patterson's fall, according to the Air Force. The service did not release a timeline for completing that review in the material cited by the Guardian. Air Force mishaps involving training or ceremonial demonstrations are typically examined through a safety investigation board, which determines causal factors, and may be followed by a separate accident investigation board whose findings can be released publicly; the Guardian's report did not specify which process applies here or name the office conducting it.

What has the Air Force said about Patterson's death?

The statement attributed to Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, commander of the Air Force's 57th Wing, said: "This tragedy is felt deeply. 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 added that the wing's "team is now focused on standing beside Ian's family, loved ones, and fellow [air force members] as we navigate this profound loss together," according to the statement cited by the Guardian.

The statement did not address whether the demonstration will continue at future UTSA games or whether the Air Force is reviewing safety protocols for rappelling exhibitions performed at sporting events nationwide.

What role does UTSA or the Alamodome play in the response?

The Guardian's report did not include a statement from UTSA, the Alamodome, or Navy's athletic department regarding the incident, the status of the investigation, or any changes to pregame programming. HTT News could not independently verify additional details beyond those reported by the Guardian as of publication.

Key figures

• 15 years: Patterson's length of service in the Air Force, per the service's statement.
• 2022: The year Patterson was named Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level.

The Air Force's statement did not include Patterson's age, the specific cause of the fall, or details of any safety equipment in use at the time, according to the Guardian's report.

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