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Two U.S. airmen die in free-fall training at Eglin Air Force Base

By Amy R. Connolly
Tech. Sgt. Marty Bettelyoun, a Combat Controller with the 720th Operations Support Squadron, died Aug. 3, 2015, in a military freefall training accident on Eglin Range. Photo courtesy 24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
Tech. Sgt. Marty Bettelyoun, a Combat Controller with the 720th Operations Support Squadron, died Aug. 3, 2015, in a military freefall training accident on Eglin Range. Photo courtesy 24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla., Aug. 5 (UPI) -- A two-time Bronze Star recipient and a father of five died from injuries sustained during military free-fall training, the Air Force said Tuesday.

Tech Sgt. Timothy A. Officer Jr., 32, and Tech Sgt. Marty B. Bettelyoun, 35, were taken to a local hospital after the parachute-training incident Monday. Both men were part of the elite Air Force unit participating in a routine training exercise.

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"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," said Col. Wolfe Davidson, 24th Special Operations Wing commander. "They were respected by their peers for not only their ability on the battlefield, but also for their incredible commitment to friends and family."

Officer was a Tactical Air Control Party airman assigned to the 720th Operations Support Squadron. A 14-year combat veteran, Officer earned two Bronze Star medals -- one with a V device that indicates valor -- for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He is survived by his parents.

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Bettelyoun was a Combat Controller assigned to the 720th OSS. A 15-year combat veteran with multiple deployments, he served in several combat zones and areas around the world. Bettelyoun is survived by his wife and five children.

The Air Force has not released specific details about the investigation, which could take up to a year to complete.

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