A 25-year-old Marine has died after being injured during fast-rope training in Japan, just weeks after a US airman was killed in a fall during a stadium stunt.
Lance Cpl. Devin J. Hernandez, a combat engineer, was taken to a hospital Tuesday evening after sustaining injuries during training at Marine Corps Camp Schwab, military officials said.
Hernandez, who was from Maryland, was later pronounced dead at the US Naval Hospital Okinawa on Camp Foster.
He served with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Hernandez had also received the Navy Arctic Service Ribbon.
Officials have not disclosed the nature of his injuries. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
Fast-roping is a military technique that enables troops to rapidly deploy from a helicopter or Osprey tiltrotor aircraft by sliding down a rope.
At Camp Schwab, Marines first practice on a rappel tower before advancing to airborne operations.
‘The Marines and Sailors of 3rd Marine Division mourn the loss of one of our own,’ division commander Maj. Gen. Kyle Ellison said in a statement.
Lance Cpl. Devin J. Hernandez, 25, died during fast-rope training Tuesday evening. Source: Facebook/Devin Hernandez
Hernandez served with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and had earned the Navy Arctic Service Ribbon. Source: Facebook/Devin Hernandez
Fast-roping allows troops to quickly descend from helicopters or Osprey tiltrotor aircraft to enter an area
‘We extend our deepest condolences to Lance Cpl. Hernandez’s family, friends and fellow Marines,’ Ellison continued. ‘Our focus remains on supporting them while we fully investigate the circumstances of this tragic incident.’
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore also paid tribute to Hernandez, describing him as a ‘Marylander who bravely raised his hand to serve our country.’
‘We are stronger and safer because of his dedication and patriotism,’ Moore said. He added that he and his wife ‘join his family, friends and all who served with him in mourning his death and will keep them in our prayers.’
Hernandez’s death comes only weeks after Tech Sgt. Ian Patterson, 37, a decorated service member with more than 15 years in the military, died in an accident during a stunt at a Navy-University of Texas football game at San Antonio’s Alamodome.
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Video from the incident showed Patterson lose his grip on a rope while rappelling from the stadium rafters before falling to the ground.
He received treatment on the field for about 10 minutes, then was taken by cart and transported to a hospital, where he later died, according to Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs.
Investigators are expected to examine whether Patterson’s harness and rope were properly installed and whether the rigging had undergone an independent inspection before his descent, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
Tech Sgt. Ian Patterson, 37, a decorated service member with more than 15 years in the military, died in an accident during a stunt at a Navy-University of Texas football game. Source: GoFundMe
Patterson was treated on the field for about 10 minutes before being taken to a hospital, where he later died
The father of two was a tactical air control party, or TACP, airman. These special warfare personnel work alongside combat units, directing precision airstrikes and artillery fire.
TACP training includes fast-roping from structures 15 to 30 feet high and rappelling from helicopters operating 100 feet or more above the ground.
A retired special operations officer told the Express-News that he had heard Patterson may have tried to fix an issue with his rappelling equipment. The report had not been independently verified before Patterson stepped from the platform and descended.
‘I take that information seriously, but I also recognize that the investigation needs to establish the facts,’ the unidentified retired officer said.
The officer and other experts emphasized that equipment should be inspected again after any adjustment.
‘One of the things we teach is that you don’t rely solely on expertise or familiarity with the equipment. You verify the hookup, you verify the load-bearing system and if something changes, you inspect again,’ he said.
‘Those procedures exist to protect everyone, regardless of how experienced they are.’
The 6th Combat Training Squadron said in a statement that it would not comment on the investigation.
‘The incident remains under investigation to determine all verified facts and causes, and it would be inappropriate to speculate on specific equipment or procedures while that independent process is ongoing,’ the squadron said.