An Air Force Major died Saturday after losing consciousness during his fitness test.
Maj. Elgin "Rick" Ross, 47, became unresponsive during his fitness test Friday at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado. He died early Saturday at University of Colorado Hospital.
The reason for Ross’ death is under investigation.
Airmen are required to complete a physical fitness test twice a year. The test consists of three components that measure body composition, aerobic fitness and muscular fitness. According to the Air Force’s website, body composition is evaluated by abdominal circumference measurements, while the aerobic component includes a 1.5-mile run. Muscular fitness is evaluated by the number of push-ups and sit-ups completed within one minute.
The Air Force Times reported that Ross was head of the Air Force’s Total Force Service Center in Denver where he provided customer service to Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and retired airmen.
Brig. Gen. Ellen Moore, Air Reserve Personnel Center commander, expressed her sympathies in a statement. "We are heartbroken over the loss of our teammate and friend," Moore said. "ARPC is coming together in this sad time, and we are ensuring that Rick's wife and children are taken care of now and in the future."
