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US Air Force sergeant dies after rappelling fall at Texas stadium before college football game
October 19, 2026 at 02:59 PM
A US Air Force sergeant died after falling from the Alamodome rafters during a rappelling demonstration before the UTSA-Navy football game.
- Tech Sgt Ian Patterson, a tactical air control party instructor at Joint Base San Antonio, died in hospital after Saturday's fall.
- Patterson, from Georgia, had served 15 years and was named Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year in 2022.
- Brig Gen Scott Mills said the tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing and that Patterson's service mattered immensely.
- The game continued as planned; the American Athletic Conference said the decision was made before Patterson's death was confirmed.