An Air Force service member died after falling during a pre-match rappelling demonstration at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday night.
The incident happened before the University of Texas at San Antonio’s game against Navy during the university’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans event. The service member was taken to hospital after being treated on the field, but later died from his injuries.
Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs said the man was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2. His identity has not been released, and an investigation into the circumstances of the fall is under way. ([fox4news.com](https://www.fox4news.com/news/air-force-specialist-dies-after-rappelling-fall-ut-san-antonio-game))
Air Force service member dies after Alamodome fall
Four military personnel had been due to descend from the stadium ceiling to the football field as part of the pre-game ceremony. Witnesses and video shared online appeared to show one participant losing control during the descent and falling rapidly before landing on the field.
Emergency crews attended to him for several minutes. The San Antonio Fire Department said one person was taken to hospital as a Priority One patient, a classification generally used for someone requiring immediate medical attention. ([tpr.org](https://www.tpr.org/news/2026-10-17/service-member-falls-while-rappelling-from-alamodome-rafters?utm_source=openai))
The start of the game was delayed by about 10 minutes, although the fixture went ahead in front of more than 23,000 spectators.
The 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, is a Tactical Air Control Party training unit. Air Force material says its specialists work alongside Army and Marine units, helping to direct air and artillery strikes from forward positions.
Their training includes rappelling and rapidly descending by rope, including from helicopters operating more than 100ft above the ground. ([af.mil](https://www.af.mil/News/Article/1993723/6th-cts-activates-new-tacp-training-detachment/?utm_source=openai))
In a statement issued after the game, UTSA said: “We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at the start of tonight’s game. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the soldier who was affected, his family and his military colleagues.”
The university also said it was activating wellbeing services for members of its campus community who had been affected by what happened.
UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor described the incident as “heartbreaking” and “tragic”. He said the mood inside the stadium changed immediately when players came on to the field.
“You could tell the energy was just gone,” Traylor told reporters after the game. “It just really puts things in perspective. It really does.”
Authorities have not said what caused the fall. A video circulating on social media showed the service member wearing combat fatigues as he descended in front of spectators and a band gathered on the field.
