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82nd Airborne Division paratrooper killed in training incident at Fort Bragg | abc11.com

FORT BRAGG (WTVD) — Fort Bragg officials say an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper died during a training operation on post Tuesday. Details surrounding the incident have not been released. Officials would only say the Spc. Nicholas Roberts, 27, of Longwood, Florida, died during training at Sicily Drop Zone on Fort Bragg. He was an infantryman…

FORT BRAGG (WTVD) —

Fort Bragg officials say an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper died during a training operation on post Tuesday.

Details surrounding the incident have not been released. Officials would only say the Spc. Nicholas Roberts, 27, of Longwood, Florida, died during training at Sicily Drop Zone on Fort Bragg. He was an infantryman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div.

The incident is currently under investigation.

“Spc. Roberts was a tremendous young man. He had only recently joined us but he brought with him experience and leadership qualities we seek in our Paratroopers,” said Col. Curtis Buzzard, commander of the 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. “We were all saddened to hear of this tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

via 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper killed in training incident at Fort Bragg | abc11.com.

We talked the other day about SPC Tattersall receiving punishment for his selfie with his fish during a jump.

You’ll recall that we argued that the punishment was likely not so much for him, as a means of preventing others from taking things to the next (dangerous) level.

Here’s the thing about airborne operations. They’re inherently dangerous.

From what I’ve heard, SPC Roberts was killed during a night jump into Sicily DZ. I’ve not heard what went wrong (and indeed, that’s an investigation that will take some time). I have no reason to suspect any tomfoolery.

But like I said, airborne operations are inherently dangerous. There was also a recent fatal accident at the Joint Readiness Training Center. It’s not surprising that the chain of command is (again) emphasizing safety.

Our condolences to the family of SPC Roberts.

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  1. Shu

    You up the ante for night jumps. This is why they train. Sorry for the family.

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  2. Quartermaster

    Airborne units do all they can to make it as safe as they can. But, safe does not mean risk free. There are a number of things that can go wrong and, sooner or later, Mr. Murphy will pay you a visit.

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  3. SFC Dunlap 173d RVN

    The soldiers in the “82d Airplane Gang” peg the risk assessment every time as night/combat equipment/mass tactical/multi a/c operations are all the non-human risks and the 82d/173d do them all the time then there’s the human side. Pre-Jump/Sustained Airborne Training happens before each jump same way every time. In many cases some paratroopers “lights are on & nobody’s home” as they go through pre-jump. The “old bold” paratroopers don’t think they need pre-jump and the young “5 jump chumps” are understandably “twitchy.” Of course we couldn’t jump them enough to be truly confident and proficient so we pay ’em $185 haz duty pay and out the door they go. Qualify for haz duty jump pay requires 1 jump per fiscal quarter…imagine aviators being able to fly 2-3 times a fiscal quarter. The minimum time to be considered “current” in the United States Parachute Association is 30 days before re-training is required. I know the civvies don’t jump equipment and don’t do many night jumps but they jump far more “high performance” canopies so it really does even out a bit. How about, oh I dunno 1 or 2 daytime Hollywood jumps in one day every 30-60 days and get these kids as relatively confident as their brothers in the sky whose office is a cockpit and perhaps we won’t have to have these “mishaps.” Just because there’s inherent danger doesn’t mean it has to be an exercise in terror every time you do it and believe me f&$king $185.00 a month doesn’t cover death! Thank you gentlemen…sore spot. Paratrooper Going Home…God’s Speed Specialist.

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