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‘Highly-regarded’ Australian soldier who died in parachuting training course identified

The Australian soldier who died following a collision during a parachuting training course on NSW's South Coast has been identified and is being remembered for his "genuine and deep commitment to serving the nation".

The Australian Defence Force confirmed that a 50-year-old soldier from the Special Operations Command died during a parachuting course at the Jervis Bay Airfield at about 5.40pm yesterday.

He has been identified as Warrant Officer Class Two Lachlan Muddle from the Special Air Service Regiment.

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Warrant Officer Class Two Lachlan Muddle.

Special Operations Commander Major General Garth Gould said Muddle was partaking in a "specialist parachute training activity" that was being held at the ADF parachute school before he collided with another paratrooper mid-air.

"After successfully opening their parachutes, what we know of the incidents suggests that both paratroopers collided several hundred feet above the ground whilst they were manoeuvring towards the drop zone," Gould said.

"After the collision, both soldiers fell from height."

He said the sergeant from the ADF parachute school who collided with Muddle survived the fall with minor injuries and was the first person to provide first aid to Muddle following the incident.

"Both paratroopers were highly skilled, between the two of them, they had several thousand jumps to their credit.

"[Muddle] joined the army in 1994, he joined Special Operations Command in 2007 and served the majority of his time in Special Operations Command in the Special Air Service Regiment."

"He was operationally experienced, he was a highly qualified Special Forces sniper and military free-fall parachutist."

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Australian Army Special Operations Commander Major General Garth Gould.

Gould added that the 50-year-old was "highly-regarded" within the Defence Force community.

"He will be remembered for his sense of humour and his genuine and deep commitment to serving the nation, serving in the army and serving in the Special Air Regiment."

Following the incident, the ADF has paused all personnel parachuting operations pending an investigation.

"Our priority at the moment is supporting Warrant Officer Muddle's family, and also providing support to the ADF members involved in the incident last night," Gould said.

Gould said that the "senior soldiers" were about four weeks into a six-week block of "advanced military free-fall training".

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FILE PHOTO - Australian Army special forces soldiers prepare to board a Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft at the Australian Defence Force Parachuting School at HMAS Albatross.

"We request that the privacy of Defence members and families is respected at this time," the Australian Defence Force said in a statement.

The death comes after other training incidents in recent years.

Lance Corporal Tulsa Rumney of the 3rd Brigade died in a single-vehicle rollover at the Townsville Field Training Area on October 15, 2025.

Two years ago, in 2024, Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon died after being injured in a parachuting incident at Sydney's Richmond RAAF base.

Gould said he expressed a "high degree of confidence" in the ADF's training, with the Special Operations Commander saying major changes were implemented following the incidents.

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Special Operations