An airman from Nellis Air Force Base died Saturday after a rappelling accident at the Alamodome, during a pregame demonstration before UTSA’s matchup with the U.S. Naval Academy. The service member, assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, was rappelling from the rafters when the accident occurred. He was taken to a hospital and later died. The incident remains under investigation.
The game was UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans event, held each season to honor military members and their families. In a statement, UTSA President Taylor Eighmy said what was intended to be a day of camaraderie, tradition and celebration had been marked by profound sadness. Navy spokesperson teams and Nellis officials have not released the airman’s name pending notification of family.
For Gulf Coast listeners with ties to MacDill and the region’s military community, the story carries extra weight. Pregame demonstrations are a familiar sight at stadiums across Florida, and this tragedy raises difficult questions about the safety protocols behind them. How do you think sporting events should honor service members? Share your thoughts with us.
