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Sailor dies after freefall training jump

SAN DIEGO — A San Diego-based sailor and experienced parachutist died early Thursday from head trauma sustained during a nighttime military freefall training jump in Arizona, Navy officials said Friday.

Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class (EW/AW/FPJ) Andrew J. Lightner was conducting the night jump as the final part of a jumpmaster spotting exercise at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., Lt. Frank Magallon, a Naval Special Warfare Group 1 spokesman, said in a news release.

Lightner, 25, was a parachute rigger with Naval Special Warfare Logistics Support Unit 1 at Coronado Naval Amphibious Base, Calif., and was attending the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course offered by the Fort Bragg, N.C.-based John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Magallon said in the release.

Officials are investigating the incident and military freefall course trainers “have isolated the equipment and begun documenting the details of the incident,” he added.

JFK Special Warfare Center and School officials, in a news release Friday afternoon, said Lightner injured his head while landing and was taken by air ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, where he was pronounced dead.

The Military Freefall School “has suspended all air operations until further notice,” center officials said in the release.

Lightner enlisted on June 28, 2001, and amassed more than 70 parachute jumps. He reported to the Coronado unit in June 2007 and “was a shining example of what an American sailor should be,” LOGSU-1’s executive officer, Lt. Cmdr. Rick Chambers, said in the statement. “He strove for excellence in everything he did, and he’s going to be sorely missed by all his teammates and anyone whose life he touched.”

Outside the Navy, Lightner was active helping raise $60,000 for a local non-profit group, the Community Youth Athletics Center in National City, Calif., and he spent time mentoring children, Navy officials said.

“Andrew was a leader, mentor and team player whose contributions were a major part of the command’s success. Even more than that, Andrew was a selfless member of our community, and he strove to make a difference in the lives of the children he met,” said LOGSU-1’s commander, Cmdr. Kevin Jones.

Lightner’s military awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

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