An 82nd Airborne paratrooper died during a training exercise at Fort Johnson, Lousiana last week, Fort Johnson Public Affairs Office confirmed in a statement provided to Task & purpose.
Pfc. Matthew Perez was killed Sept. 13, according to a statement from the 82nd Airborne Division. Perez was assigned to Fort Liberty in the division’s 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
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“His sudden loss has been felt across our formation, and we extend our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, and teammates within the Panther Brigade,” said Col. Jaron Wharton, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
Both statements from the 82nd Airborne Division and Fort Johnson confirmed an investigation is ongoing.
Perez’s death came during his unit’s rotational exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center located at Ft. Johnson. Units often train at Ft. Johnson in large-scale operations as preparation for upcoming deployments.