Air Commando Dies After Training Mishap

Nov. 7, 2014

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

TSgt. Sean Barton, a pararescueman assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, died Oct. 30 from injuries sustained while rappelling during training near Kathmandu, Nepal, according to a Nov. 1 AFSOC release. “Sean was a selfless leader on our team,” said Capt. Michael Erickson, 320th STS combat rescue officer and Barton’s team leader. “He aggressively pursued excellence with a smile on his face and laughter never far behind. His love for his family, loyalty to his team, and relentless determination serve as an example for us all.” Barton, who joined the Air Force in 2003, has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and is a recipient of multiple Air Medals.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Trending Stories

Pentagon Zeroes Out E-7 in Budget, Leaving Its Future Uncertain

White House Picks Raytheon Exec to Lead Space Force Acquisition

Northrop Delivers New Jam-Resistant Navigation System for F-22

U-2 Fleet, Half of A-10s Would Retire; Air Force Plans to Add 108 Planes in ’27

Related

Space Force Budget Cuts SDA’s Data Transport Funding

April 23, 2026
The new Space Force budget request omits funding for future tranches of the Space Development Agency’s data transport layer, teeing up a potential debate in Congress about the future of the organization and the service’s plan for managing both tactical and enterprise communication needs. 

Pentagon Zeroes Out E-7 in Budget, Leaving Its Future Uncertain

April 22, 2026
The Pentagon did not include any funding for the the E-7A Wedgetail in its 2027 budget request, setting up another round in its fight with Congress over the future of the Boeing-built successor to the E-3 Sentry Airborne Early Warning and Control jet.

Pass-Through and Classified Spending: What’s Hidden in the ’27 Budget

April 22, 2026
For 2027, so-called “pass through” accounts—money that funds other agencies and is never actually touched or used by the Air Force—will top $52.3 billion. That's 13.4 percent of the total department spending plan. But proportionally, that $52.3 billion accounts for a smaller share than in past years, when it has sometimes exceeded 20 percent.