Air Force unit pauses rope training after instructor's death
By The BriefBrief
The 6th Combat Training Squadron’s Detachment 2 paused all rappelling and rope training and demonstrations less than a week after instructor Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson died from injuries suffered in a rappelling demonstration on Oct. 17 at San Antonio’s Alamodome. The unit trains Tactical Air Control Party Airmen; the Air Force investigation into the accident’s cause is ongoing.
WHO:Detachment 2 of the Air Force’s 6th Combat Training Squadron
WHAT:Paused all rappelling and rope training and demonstrations.
WHEN:Oct 17, 2026
WHERE:San Antonio, USA
WHY:The pause followed instructor Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson’s fatal rappelling accident; the accident’s cause has not been established.
