Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a 15-year Air Force veteran, died after a pregame demonstration before UTSA played Navy.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The U.S. Air Force has identified Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a decorated 15-year veteran and Tactical Air Control Party instructor, as the service member who died after falling during a rappelling demonstration at the Alamodome before a college football game Saturday.
Patterson was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio, the Air Force said. He was taking part in a military demonstration before the University of Texas at San Antonio played Navy on Oct. 17 during UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans game. Patterson was treated after the fall and taken to a local hospital, where he later died. The Air Force said the incident remains under investigation.
Four service members were scheduled to participate in the rappelling demonstration, which involved descending from high inside the Alamodome to the field. Patterson fell during his descent shortly before the game was scheduled to begin. Emergency personnel responded immediately on the field as spectators watched from the stands. Officials have not announced what caused the fall or said whether equipment, technique or another factor contributed to the accident.
Patterson was from Fort Stewart, Georgia, and had served in the Air Force for 15 years. He worked as a Tactical Air Control Party instructor, a specialty connected to airmen who train to operate alongside other military forces and help coordinate air and ground fire. His unit at Joint Base San Antonio provides training for those specialized duties.
The Air Force said Patterson was named the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level in 2022. His decorations included the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters. He also received the Army Commendation Medal, Air and Space Achievement Medal and Army Achievement Medal, each with an oak leaf cluster.
Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, commander of the 57th Wing, said Patterson’s death was being felt throughout the organization. Mills said Patterson and his service mattered to the wing and to the family members, friends and fellow airmen who knew and served with him. He said the wing was focused on supporting Patterson’s family, loved ones and colleagues following his death.
The accident unfolded in front of more than 23,000 people gathered at the Alamodome for the UTSA-Navy game. Medical personnel worked on Patterson before he was removed from the field and transported to a hospital. The stadium’s planned pregame activities were scaled back after the accident, and a moment of silence was held before play began.
The American Conference said officials met after the incident to discuss whether the game should proceed. The meeting included conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti and representatives of UTSA, Navy, the Alamodome and others. The conference said the Air Force had not publicly confirmed Patterson’s condition when the decision was made to continue the game. It said the decision was made under conference rules and with the support of both schools while officials sought to respect the military’s notification process and the family’s privacy.
The game began after a brief delay. UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said afterward that the incident changed the atmosphere inside the stadium and put the football game in perspective. The university expressed condolences and made support resources available to members of its community affected by what they had witnessed.
The fatal accident occurred during an event intended to recognize military personnel and veterans. Patterson’s unit trains airmen for specialized duties that can require working with Army and Marine units and coordinating air support from forward positions. Rappelling from elevated locations is among the skills associated with that training, but Air Force officials have not released findings about the equipment or circumstances involved in Patterson’s fall.
The Air Force investigation into Patterson’s death remains active. Officials have not publicly announced a preliminary cause, and no findings have been released explaining what led to the fatal descent. The service said its focus also remains on supporting Patterson’s family and fellow airmen as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Author note: Last updated October 19, 2026.