JBER Soldier dies after training jump

Release Number: 010214

2/6/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- USARAK news release

U.S. Army Alaska has released the identity of a paratrooper who died at Providence Medical Center Jan. 30 after a training jump earlier in the day.

Sgt. Jose Maria Pasillas, 34, a construction equipment repairer with the 23rd Engineer Company, collapsed at the Malemute Drop Zone on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson at about 3 p.m. Jan. 30. On-site unit medics rendered initial aid and called for medical evacuation. A physician's assistant and medics provided care until the arrival of an Alaska Air National Guard 210th Rescue Squadron medical evacuation helicopter.

Pasillas was transported to Providence Medical Center where he underwent immediate emergency surgery for a torn aorta. He was pronounced dead just before 8 p.m.

There is no indication Pasillas had a hard landing or any equipment malfunction in the jump he had just completed before he collapsed. His parachute had been packed away and he was wearing his rucksack when other Soldiers reached him. At this time, there is no known connection between the jump and the cause of death.

Pasillas, of Fort Worth, Texas, entered the Army in 2001 and attended basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He arrived in Alaska in August 2012 after being stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Fort Bragg, N.C.

Pasillas had combat deployments to Afghanistan in 2002, and to Iraq in 2004, 2006 and 2009.

An investigation into the circumstances of the death is ongoing.