According to reports, a decorated U.S. Navy SEAL died in Arizona following a mishap while training for a parachute freefall.
After the Marana incident, Chief Special Warfare Operator Michael Ernst died at a Phoenix hospital. The Naval Special Warfare Command released a statement to USNI News.
Rear Adm. Keith Davids (the leader of Naval Special Warfare Command) said that “our thoughts and prayers are for the Ernst family.” “Mike was an outstanding teammate. He was a committed NSW Sailor, who used his skills and talents to tackle some of the nation’s most difficult challenges while mentoring his fellow sailors.
Davids said, “Mike and his loved ones will always be part of the NSW family and he will never be forgotten.”
It is still unclear what caused the incident.
Fox News reached out to the Naval Special Warfare Command to get more information.
According to USNI News, Ernst, from Massachusetts, enlisted in the Navy in 2009. He joined his first naval special warfare unit three years later. At the time of the accident, Ernst was serving with an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare Unit.
Ernst was awarded the Silver Star, Joint Commendation Medal with Combat Device, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Global War on Terror Service Medal.
