Air Force NCOs die in parachute accident
According to CNN, Tech Sgt. Timothy A. Officer Jr. and Tech Sgt. Marty B. Bettelyoun of the 24th Special Operations Wing based in Hurlburt Field, Florida were killed in a training parachute freefall accident on Monday. The cause and circumstances of the accident are still being investigated;
Officer, 32, served 14 years in the Air Force and was deployed several times to Iraq and Afghanistan, the Air Force Times said. He was awarded the Bronze Star twice.
Bettelyoun, 35, served 15 years and was also deployed on several occasions, the Times said. He taught survival, evasion, resistance and escape techniques to thousands of airmen and others who were at risk of being captured.
Category: Air Force
RIP, Zoomies, RIP.
Even in training, soldiers die.
We’ll see ya on the other side eventually.
I hope your families can find peace and solace.
The military IS a dangerous occupation.
I suspect these men were PJ’s or Combat Air Controllers … Tip of the Spear Bad Asses …
RIP Men!
Very likely so, Hurlburt Field is home to AF Spec Ops Units.
R.I.P. Warriors, you were taken from us far too soon.
We need people like them.
Your duties are complete, men. Rest now in peace.
May God comfort their surviving family and friends.
“Tech Sergeants Timothy Officer and Marty Bettelyoun were the epitome of a Special Tactics Airman: professional, dedicated and prepared to give their lives in service to their country,” Col. Wolfe Davidson, commander of the 24th SOW, said in a statement. “Our community has taken a huge loss with their deaths, and they will be sorely missed.”
“Officer, 32, was a Tactical Air Control Party airman assigned to the 720th Operations Support Squadron. Bettelyoun, 35, was a Combat Controller who was also with the 720th Operations Support Squadron.” Source: Air Force Times
(CNN’s merely rewrote the information reported by the Air Force Times. One rewrite related that Bettelyoun “deployed on several occasions.” I thought that a very odd way to put it.)
I am very sorry for this double loss of two fine men who were honing their highly specialized skills in dangerous training while I was safe and sound in my home.
RiP fellas…thanks for your service and sacrifice. Peace and love to your families, I know they are proud of you.
Rest in peace Brothers. God be with your families now.
Rest in peace.
These guys were Combat Controllers, (one badassed Air Force Job), and were jumping on Rudder DZ at Camp Rudder, Florida. I haven’t heard yet whether it was a free fall jump or a static line jump. RIP Heroes.
FTR…Officer was TACP, Bettelyoun was CCT…and it was a freefall accident.
Rest well airmen.
I’m so blessed Marty graced my life with his incredible light… thank you all for prayers, they have been felt from around the world… God called His son home… Rest In Peace Brother… LB