Mass. Soldier Killed In Fort Bragg Training Exercise

FORT BRAGG, NC – A Massachusetts special forces soldier was killed and seven others were wounded in an accidental explosion during a training exercise at Fort Bragg Thursday. U.S. Army Special Operations Command identified the fallen soldier as Staff Sgt. Alexander P. Dalida, 32, of Dunstable.

The accident occurred Sept. 14 at the military post outside of Fayetteville, NC and is under investigation by the USASOC, the Fayetteville Observer reported.

Dalida was enrolled in the Special Forces Qualification course at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School and was a student in the Special Forces Engineer course. He was assigned to the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center, according to a USASOC statement.

"The special operations community is a close-knit family," Maj. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, commander of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, said in a statement. "At the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, we consider every student who enters our institution a part of our SWCS family. Staff Sgt. Dalida's death is a reminder that a Soldier’s job is inherently dangerous. Our thoughts and prayers are with Staff Sgt. Dalida's family and friends."

The accident was the result of an explosion on Range 69 at the base, according to North Carolina network WRAL. The soldiers were transported to Womack Army Medical Center for treatment.

Kimberly Johnson (Patch Staff) contributed to this report.

Photo Credit: Fish Cop. (Blashfield Sign Company) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons