The soldier who was charged with destruction of government property and making a false official statement after three Humvees fell from a C-130 last year will face court-martial.
Sgt. John Skipper, a cavalry scout with 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment in Grafenwoehr, Germany, faced an Article 32 hearing on May 31. Brig. Gen. Tony Aguto, commander of the 7th Army Training Command, is sending the case to court-martial, according to Stars and Stripes.
Skipper was responsible for making sure the parachutes were rigged properly for the airdrop from a C-130 over Hohenfels Training Area in Germany during exercise Saber Junction in April 2016. Three Humvees slipped from the rigging and plummeted hundreds of feet to the ground, Army Times reported in July.
He could face one to 10 years in confinement, depending on whether a military judge finds that the incident was due to negligence or willful destruction.
The incident caused around half a million dollars in damages.
Video of the Humvees falling went viral on social media, and the soldier who recorded it from the ground could be heard laughing and cheering in the video as the Humvees fell. The soldier, whose name was not released, received a letter of reprimand.
The video ended up on the U.S. Army W.T.F! moments Facebook page, racking up more than 1 million views.
Meghann Myers contributed to this report.
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
