Jackson major dies during survival training

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- An Air Force major has died during a four-day survival course in Florida in how to live after parachuting into open water, the Air Force said Wednesday.

Maj. Garrett Knowlan of Jackson died Oct. 11 during the course at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida's Panhandle.

Military officials said they could immediately release other information such as what Knowlan was doing when he died or whether he was transported to a hospital.

The Air Force said that the training was a water survival course for members who would be flying in parachute-equipped aircraft.

The Air Force also said the course included "instruction in signaling rescue aircraft, hazardous aquatic life, food and water procurement, medical aspects of water survival and life-raft procedures."

Knowlan was stationed at nearby Eglin Air Force Base.

Military officials said they could not release Knowlan's age, but an obituary in Wednesday's edition of the Southeast Missourian said he was a 32-year-old native of Jackson.

The Air Force said Knowlan was a 2002 graduate of the Air Force Academy and a 2010 graduate of the Air Force Test Pilot School. He flew the CV-22 Osprey and HC/MC 130J.

A 24-year-old Marine flight student died during water survival training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in August of 2011.

In that case, the military said Patrick Wayland's heart stopped beating while he was taking part in a training exercise in a pool.