U.S. Airman killed in training incident in Boise
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The following is a news release from the U.S. Air Force.
HURLBURT FIELD, Florida – U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Peter Kraines, 33, a Special Tactics pararescueman with the 24th Special Operations Wing, died from injuries sustained in an incident while performing mountain rescue techniques in Boise Tuesday. The incident is currently under investigation.
The Idaho Statesman reports Kraines, of North Carolina, was pronounced dead around 5:40 p.m. Tuesday after falling an estimated 40 feet from Black Cliffs east of Boise, according to information posted by the Ada County Sheriff’s Office on Twitter. He died of blunt force trauma. The coroner’s office has not declared a manner of death pending results of a toxicology test.
Kraines enlisted in the United States Air Force in March 2011. He immediately entered the two-year pararescue training program and upon completion of the pipeline, he was assigned to the 347th Rescue Group, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. In March 2017, Kraines assessed and was selected to join the ranks within Special Tactics and was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
“This is a tragic loss to the Special Tactics community,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Allen, commander of the 24th SOW. “We are grateful for the support from our community and our [Air Force Special Operations Command] teammates. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and teammates at this time.”
Kraines was a military static-line jumper, free fall jumper, an Air Force combat scuba diver and certified as an emergency medical technician. As a Special Tactics pararescueman, Kraines was specially trained and equipped for immediate deployment into combat operations to conduct combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations.
His awards and decorations include an Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, Small Arms Expert Ribbon, Air Force BMT Honor Graduate Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon and NATO Medal.