Air Force unit halts rappelling, ropes training after airman dies during public demonstration
By Cole Bennett
Less than a week after an airman died from injuries sustained during a rappelling incident, the service member’s special operations unit has suspended all rappel and ropes training events and demonstrations.On Saturday, Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson, a Tactical Air Control Party instructor assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, fell from a football stadium’s rafters during a rappelling demonstration before a game between the University of Texas at San Antonio and the U.S. Naval Academy.During UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces & Veterans game, videos show Patterson wearing combat fatigues and rappelling…