Navy SEAL dies in free-fall parachute accident in Arizona
A decorated U.S. Navy SEAL and father of two has died in Arizona after a mishap during a free-fall parachute training exercise.
Chief Special Warfare Operator Michael Ernst was pronounced dead Sunday afternoon at a Phoenix hospital following a military training incident in Marana, northwest of Tucson, according to a statement from the U.S. Navy to USNI News.
The Massachusetts native enlisted in the Navy in 2009 and joined his first operational naval special warfare unit three years later, according to USNI News. At the time of the incident, Ernst was assigned to the East Coast Special Warfare Unit in Hampton Roads, Virginia, WTKR reported.
“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," said Rear Adm. Keith Davids, commander, Naval Special Warfare Command in a statement. "Mike and his family will always be part of the NSW family, and he will never be forgotten.”
Ernst earned the Silver Star, the military’s third-highest award for valor in combat, as well as a number of other awards and decorations.
"You were a protector, a safe space, and real life superhero," wrote Gina Leckie, regarding her friend Ernest in a Facebook post. "You were taken too soon and will be missed beyond measure."
"Navy SEAL Mike Ernst was a courageous warrior, loving husband, devoted father, and steadfast teammate to his fellow SEALs," U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, a former White House physician and retired Navy rear admiral, wrote on Twitter on Thursday.
They both linked to a fundraiser by the Navy SEAL Foundation, which will support Ernst's wife and two children, ages 5 and 2.
Ernst was performing a high-altitude, low-opening jump, or HALO, at an airfield in Marana. It is a regularly trained technique.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation by the U.S. Navy.
USA Today contributed to this report.
Reach breaking news reporter Ellie Willard at ellie.willard@gannett.com or on Twitter @EllieWillardAZ.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Navy SEAL Michael Ernst dies in parachute accident in Arizona
