Explained: US airman who died after rappel fall at a college football game in Texas is identified

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson died after a rapid fall while rappelling from the rafters of the Alamodome in San Antonio

Tactical Air Control Party

A team that embeds with Army and Marine units and helps direct air and artillery strikes from forward ground locations

Rappelling

Rapidly descending by rope, sometimes from heights of 100 feet or more

57th Wing

The Air Force unit Patterson was assigned to, based at Nellis Air Force Base