Warrant Officer Class Two Lachlan Muddle, a highly respected Australian Army paratrooper and veteran special forces soldier, has died following a tragic training accident during a military exercise at Jervis Bay Airfield on the New South Wales South Coast.
The 50-year-old member of the Special Air Service Regiment was killed after a mid-air collision with another paratrooper during a specialist parachute training operation on Thursday evening. The incident occurred at approximately 5:40pm after both soldiers had successfully deployed their parachutes and were manoeuvring toward the designated drop zone under low-light conditions while using night vision equipment.
Australian Army Special Operations Commander Major General Garth Gould said both soldiers were exceptionally experienced military parachutists with thousands of jumps between them. Following the collision, both men fell from height. The second paratrooper, a sergeant from the Australian Defence Force Parachute School, survived with minor injuries and immediately attempted to provide first aid to Warrant Officer Muddle.
Warrant Officer Muddle joined the Australian Army in 1994 and spent most of his distinguished career serving within the Special Air Service Regiment. Over more than three decades of service, he completed five deployments, including missions in Afghanistan, and earned a reputation as a highly skilled sniper and military free-fall parachutist.
Major General Gould described him as a deeply respected professional known for his humour, leadership, and unwavering dedication to serving Australia. His death, he said, has been profoundly felt across the defence community.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Warrant Officer Muddle, calling his death a reminder of the risks faced by those who serve the nation, even during training exercises. The Returned and Services League of Australia also honoured his sacrifice, describing his commitment to service as deserving of the nation’s deepest respect and gratitude.
The Australian Defence Force has suspended all parachuting operations while investigations into the incident continue.
