Army Captain Killed During Iron Focus Military Exercise

The Fort Bliss community is mourning the tragic loss of one of its soldiers.

ABC-7 has learned Captain Jonathan Wynkoop, 27, was killed Monday morning during the Iron Focus military exercise.

Fort Bliss officials said an all-terrain vehicle designed to withstand land mines rolled over a cot while Captain Wynkoop was sleeping inside.

“It’s an unfortunate tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as well as his unit,” Fort Bliss Spokesman LTC Lee Peters said. “These soldiers spend a lot of time together while training. They eat, sleep and work together. They become part of your extended family.”

Captain Wynkoop, a highly-decorated soldier originally from Ohio, leaves behind a wife and three children.

“He was an impressive and personal leader. Very few leaders in the U.S. Army are capable of matching his work ethic and potential,” Major Gregory M. Tomlin said. “This tragedy has shorted the army an excellent officer and a family of a husband and father.”

The army is still investigating what caused the driver of the ATV to run over Wynkoop’s cot, according to LTC Peters.