Airman dies during survival training in Pensacola Bay

[czecksikhs]

Maj. Garrett Knowlan was struck by a boat and killed during the single man raft isolation exercise.

https://www.pnj.com/a...text%7CMilitary

[Guest]

Was this annual water survival training?

[Fuzz]

From the content of the article it was most likely a refresher course, when I was there about a month of ago we had several older guys going back through the course with the first time students. A couple guys were active duty recalls and the likes.

Looks like an outstanding officer, prayers go out to his family.

[Tonka]

He was, one of the best I've ever known.

[10percenttruth]

Here's a toast...

What a crappy way to go

[ThreeHoler]

I have known Garrett for a very long time. Sadly, I lost touch with him. He was an exceptional person and officer. He will be missed.

[nsplayr]

Him Him...

Wonder if he was doing ejection water survival (i.e. that would require the parasailing part) in order to fly in fighters at Eglin? Seems like as a previous HC/MC-130 and CV-22 guy he would have done the non-ejection course previously. I remember that course and they seemed to do a good job of keeping civilian boat traffic away from us.

Either way it's a damn shame...too many Air Force brothers dying this year.

[Fuzz]

Herc pilots go to Pensacola for water survival now. I don't know what it used to be but it is now parachute or non-parachute, so if you MWS can carry a parachute you go to FL.

[herkbum]

As a Herk guy, I went to Pcola for water survival over 13 yrs ago.

[Azimuth]

Herc pilots go to Pensacola for water survival now. I don't know what it used to be but it is now parachute or non-parachute, so if you MWS can carry a parachute you go to FL.

Non-parachute is at Fairchild.a lot of heavies in AMC took parachutes off a few years ago, which made Inital Qual student to start attending the non-parachuting water survival. Pensacola was a blast when I went through.

[addict]

For everyone trying to figure out why a major was in that course: He was a flight test engineer - He probably had a engineer/science-AFCS and went through the course having been assigned to Eglin and a specific program requiring the training.

Edited October 19, 2012 by addict

[Dupe]

For everyone trying to figure out why a major was in that course: He was a flight test engineer - He probably had a engineer/science-AFCS and went through the course having been assigned to Eglin and a specific program requiring the training.

Engineers in their first assignment out of TPS are required to be in a flying billet. On the fighter side, these guys tend to fly on any tub available vice specific programs. Garrett was a good guy, and he'll be missed.

[Clayton Bigsby]

Wow. He was a Mx Officer in my AMXS at McChord, and just saw him a couple weeks ago. Unreal.

I did my water surv training in PCola too.

Wow.

[drewpey]

I remember that course and they seemed to do a good job of keeping civilian boat traffic away from us.

Sad story. Although it doesn't say it was civilian boat. Strange there is no mention of someone caught and/or being looked for after a week.

[Kilgore Trout]

Sad story. Although it doesn't say it was civilian boat. Strange there is no mention of someone caught and/or being looked for after a week.

Kind of goes with the idea that the news wasn't released for nearly a week, whereas if it had been a civilian boat it seems they would have gotten it out to the public sooner to try and raise awareness and speak to consequences.

[Bayou_Eagle_Driver]

I'm really curious about what type of boat struck him - was it one of the runabouts that the contractors use? I really enjoyed my time in Pcola for water survival, it's definitely shocking that there was a fatality there.

[tripilot]

Those of us that were in that class with Maj Knowlan were basically ordered not to talk about the circumstances of the accident, so I doubt you'll hear anything about the boat until the accident investigation report is released (as quietly and late as the press release of his death was).

All I can say is that it's a f*cking tragedy. I knew him very little -- only from those 3 days of training -- but he was an awesome dude. His wife and two sons were with him in Pensacola.

There is an obituary here which gives info about the Memorial Fund: https://www.semissour...ry/1904453.html

Edited October 19, 2012 by tripilot

[olevelo]

He was going through the initial parachute course because he was a TPS grad FTE. He had previously gone through Fairchild because he was doing CV-22 and UH-1 testing. He was now the Test Wing exec, and so was preparing to fly fighters instead due to moving from Hurlburt to Eglin.

Filter was a classmate of mine at TPS and we were then at Hurlburt together the last two years.

Missing him tons...

[olevelo]

BTW, for those that knew him, I'm helping to organize both the memorial service at Eglin, and a scrapbook of photos and any other memories for his boys. Many of us are writing letters addressed to them to tell them stories and what kind of awesome dude he was. If you have anything to contribute, PM me.

[Kaman]

Very sad to hear...Went through water survival in 83' in Pensacola...

[SemperSicEm]

Prayers to Maj Knowlan's family. I hope his kids know their Dad is a hero for his willingness to serve his country.

Edited October 21, 2012 by SemperSicEm

[olevelo]

For all interested, the memorial service will be held at Eglin AFB on Monday, 5 November at 0930. The exact location is still being confirmed, but it will be one of the hangars. I'll try to post more specifics once they're ironed out.

[olevelo]

We are collecting letters to Filter's boys for a book if there's anyone out there that would like to contribute. PM me if you or someone you know would like to send something along. Pictures from his pre-TPS time (academy included) are also welcomed.

[olevelo]

Sorry about the late notice, but today folks around the world are running/walking a personal 5k in memory of Filter. Donations are going to a charity in his name. The Eglin run is at 3pm at Unity Park. For more info (bibs, address for donations, locations of other groups) see the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Filters-Fund/133387386837745

[drewpey]

https://www.nwfdailynews.com/military/top-story/report-lack-of-communication-contributed-to-eglin-airmen-s-death-1.114137