Soldier Killed, 14 Others Hurt In Fort Bragg Training Exercise

CHARLOTTE, NC — A special forces soldier was killed and 14 soldiers wounded during an accidental explosion during a training exercise at Fort Bragg Thursday.

U.S. Army Special Operations Command has identified the soldier as Staff Sgt. Alexander P. Dalida, 32, of Dunstable, Massachusetts.

The accident is under investigation by the USASOC, The Fayetteville Observer reported. “There was an incident that occurred on one of the ranges,” Lt. Col. Rob Bockholt said, according to the newspaper. “We’re looking into exactly what happened.”

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. 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,” Maj. Gen. Kurt Sonntag, commander of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, said in a statement.

According to WRAL, the accident was the result of an explosion on Range 69 at the base. The soldiers have been transported to Womack Army Medical Center for treatment, the news station said.

This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.

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Photo: This image made from a video shows soldiers on Fort Bragg, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. A training exercise involving demolitions turned deadly at the Army's largest base on Thursday, several were injured. Soldiers pictured were not involved in the training exercise involving demolitions. (AP Photo)