A Navy SEAL has died in Arizona after the long-time decorated SEAL experienced a major mishap while parachuting.
Chief Special Warfare Operator Michael Ernst died during a free-fall exercise at an airfield in Marana, Arizona.
As of right now, there’s an investigation behind the incident.
The Commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, Rear Adm. Keith Davids, released a statement saying “Mike was an exceptional teammate. He was a dedicated NSW Sailor who applied his talents and skills towards some of our nation’s hardest challenges, while selflessly mentoring his teammates.”
A decorated U.S. Navy Seal died over the weekend after a free-fall parachute training exercise in Arizona, officials say. https://t.co/8zMOcNtrKL
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 24, 2023
Ernst was part of the East Coast special warfare unit and has served in the US Navy since 2009.
Most of his assignments are classified due to the fact the Navy Special Warfare keeps unit assignments highly confidential.
The Military Times reported this is the fourth Navy SEAL training death within the last 14 months.
Per the Military Times:
A Navy SEAL died Sunday after a parachuting incident in Arizona, marking the fourth death related to the elite program in just over a year.
In May 2022, Electronics Technician 1st Class Ryan DeKorte, who was also assigned to an East Coast naval special warfare unit, died following a helicopter landing incident at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story just outside of Norfolk, Virginia.
A few months earlier, in February 2022, Seaman Kyle Mullen died of pneumonia just after passing the initial phase of SEAL training. .
Cmdr. Brian Bourgeois, the commanding officer of SEAL Team 8, was injured and subsequently died in December 2021 after a fast-rope training evolution in Norfolk.
