Name of parachutist who died at YPG released

The Department of Defense said the name of the sailor who died during a night-time military freefall training accident Thursday at Yuma Proving Ground is Andrew Joseph Lightner, Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class.

He was 25 years old.

Lightner was a student in the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course at the U.S. Army's John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School's Military Free Fall School at YPG, the Army Times reported.

He was conducting a night jump as the final part of the Jumpmaster "Spotting" Exercise, when he hit his head while landing, according to a U.S. Navy press release.

Lightner, based out of Naval Special Warfare Logistics Support Unit One at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix by air ambulance where he was pronounced dead, according to an Army news release.

Lightner enlisted in the Navy in June 2001. Lightner's military awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Army safety investigators have started an investigation to determine the cause of the incident, and the Military Free Fall School has suspended all air operations at this time.

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Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849. The Army Times contributed to this report.