Wednesday, August 5, 2015

2 special forces airmen killed during military freefall training at the Eglin Air Force Base range in Florida





Special Warfare Combatant-craft crewmen conduct advanced military free fall training in Key West, Fla., in February 2009. Kathryn Wittenberger/Navy 


Associated Press | Aug 05, 2015


EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Air Force officials have released the names of two special forces airmen killed in a parachute training accident in the Florida Panhandle.

The Air Force said Tuesday that Sgt. Timothy A. Officer, 32, and Sgt. Marty B. Bettelyoun, 35, died from injuries they received Monday during military freefall training at the Eglin Air Force Base range.

The airmen were part of a special tactics unit assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field.

Both men had multiple deployments to various combat zones.

Officer was a 14-year veteran with two Bronze Star Medals for bravery in combat.

Bettelyoun was a 15-year veteran combat control specialist.

The deaths are under investigation.