Two airmen — a two-time recipient of the Bronze Star and a father of five — were killed during military free-fall training in Florida, the Air Force announced late Tuesday.
Tech. Sgt. Timothy Officer Jr., 32, and Tech. Sgt. Marty Bettelyoun, 35, were rushed to local hospitals after the accident at Eglin Air Force Base Monday, according to NBC News.
Both were Special Tactics Airmen — part of a unit made up of specially-trained air traffic controllers, pararescuemen specializing in rescue operations, and military weathermen and forecasters — assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, according to the AP.
Sergeant Officer was a 14-year veteran with two Bronze Star medals for bravery in combat, and had served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sergeant Bettelyoun, who was a married father of five, was a combat controller who was also with the 720th Operations Support Squadron. He also had several combat deployments during his 15-year career, according to the Daily Mail.
The cause of the incident has not been determined and an investigation is underway.
