An Air Force service member’s fatal fall during a pregame display at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) prompted criticism of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, The Independent reported.
The airman died at a local hospital after falling during the display at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Oct. 17. The Independent reported that the Air Force identified his unit as Detachment 2 in the 6th Combat Training Squadron. The Independent reported that his name was being kept from public release until his next of kin had been notified.
The fall happened before UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces & Veterans game against Navy. The game was delayed 10 minutes, and UTSA won 38-34, The Independent reported.
On X, Jackie Singh, who worked on Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, blamed Hegseth and called the display “yet another pointless and tragic recruiting spectacle.” Democratic strategist Chris D. Jackson called for military demonstrations at football games to stop, arguing that service members should not be used to carry a political message.
The Independent said Hegseth has previously stressed renewed attention to a military “warrior ethos” across the services. The Air Force is still investigating what caused the fall.
