Trip_Wire (RIP)
06-19-2009, 14:34
A Navy student was killed at the SF Yuma Test Center's MFF Jump Master Course, on landing with head injuries.
http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/5395861/
(Rip Sailor)
Very sad.
My condolences to his family.
High Risk Training occasionally takes a toll.
We had two deaths there when I was in the school house, one instructor and one student.
I have not met any experienced MFF jumper that has not saved his own life at least once thru corrective procedure.
Warrior-Mentor
06-19-2009, 17:08
Blue skies and rest in peace.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/06/army_freefall_death_061909w/
http://www.yumasun.com/articles/soldier-50895-army-accident.html
Eagle5US
06-19-2009, 17:51
Well that's just terrible.
Rest well, and thank you for your service.
Eagle
RIP Sailor. Prayers out for his family.
Basenshukai
06-19-2009, 19:21
That's terrible. My prayers are with his family and team mates. May he rest in peace.
Fair winds and following seas, Sailor.
Warrior-Mentor
06-20-2009, 08:12
DoD names parachutist who died in Yuma freefall
By Gina Cavallaro - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Jun 20, 2009 8:51:27 EDT
A sailor who died Thursday in a nighttime military freefall training accident has been identified by the Navy as Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist/Aviation Warfare Specialist/Enlisted Freefall Parachutist)
Andrew Joseph Lightner.
He was a student in the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course at the Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School’s Military Freefall School at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., and was conducting a night jump as the final part of the Jumpmaster “Spotting” Exercise, a Navy release said, when he hit his head while landing.
Lightner, 25, a parachute rigger assigned to Naval Special Warfare Logistics Support Unit One at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., was evacuated by air ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, where he was pronounced dead, according to an Army news release.
Army safety investigators have started an investigation to determine the cause of the incident, and the Military Freefall School has suspended all air operations until further notice.
During his off-duty hours, Lightner applied his leadership skills inside and outside the boxing ring to help raise $60,000 for the Community Youth Athletics Center, a non-profit organization in National City, Calif., that serves mostly at-risk youth. Lightner mentored children at the center, serving as a positive role model and an example of what they could achieve if they worked hard, the Navy news release said.
Lightner enlisted in the Navy in June 2001. After boot camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., he transferred to the Naval Air Technical Training Command, Pensacola, Fla., where he served for three months until he reported to his first tour of duty at Fleet Readiness Center, Norfolk, Va., in December 2001, the release stated.
In May 2004, he transferred to USS Kitty Hawk in Yokosuka, Japan, then attended training at both Naval Special Warfare Logistics Support Unit Two, Virginia Beach, Va., and Naval Aviation Technical Training, Ft. Lee, Va., in 2007.
Lightner's military awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/06/army_parachute_death_lightner_062009w/