spangdahlem squadron commander fired
Major changes are also envisioned for the U.S. Army in Europe, including moving the 4,500-member 2nd Calvary Regiment home to the U.S., rotating Stryker units to the Black Sea region, and basing a lead element of the Armys V Corps in Poland. Esper said the strategic goal is to move away from permanent basing in favor of dynamic force employment, enabling the military to proactively move troops as missions demand. Saber Nation is driven by initiative and innovation by our most junior Airmen and our management and tolerance of risk at our most senior levels so we can fail fast and fail forward to succeed., An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Hauck comes from Aviano Air Base, Italy, where he served as the commander of the 31st Operations Group. If searching for a phone number on base, call the base operator. The 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron began flying operations at a deployed location in support of the war on terrorism within 100 hours of tasking notification. It is also the air component of the U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command. Maybe some will think the video is humorous and just a product of servicemen and women blowing off steam while stationed half a world away from home. And the time when it was OK to pinch someones butt or rub up against someone or make a derogatory or misogynistic comment, I really want to see those days go away and be behind us.. The assigned F-16 aircraft can be tasked to suppress enemy air defenses, provide close air support, carry out air interdiction, counter-air, strategic attack, and combat search and rescue. Things soon became even more uncomfortable for the Kennedys, Jordana said. 52nd Munitions Maintenance Group (52 MMG)[7], Established as the 52nd Fighter Wing, All Weather, on 10 May 1948, the wing served in the United States as an air defense unit in the northeastern United States from 1947 until the end of 1968.[8]. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations. Two commanders in the military unit in which leak suspect Jack Teixeira worked have been suspended, the Air Force said Wednesday. Shortly after the Kennedys arrived and began chatting with other guests in the center aisle of the dining room, the report said, Retka walked up to the group and pinched or touched a male colonels rear end. A female officer at Spangdahlem told investigators that in October 2018, Retka tried to sidestep her authority by saying he would solve a particular issue with another male officer, and said, We will talk about this as men later, over cigars and scotch.. At the end of the day, our Air Force culture is one of professionalism, safety, and success achieved only through teamwork and accountability.. Witnesses said Retkas chokehold was a full asphyxiation that caused the drunk pilot to lose consciousness and soil himself. The service began investigating Widman on Sept. 29 to ensure Air Force standards for professionalism and culture are upheld by leadership while affording all members due process, Cashin told Task & Purpose. Get your daily fix of Air Force news delivered right to your inbox every day. Comm: 06565-61-1110 Immediately afterward, Kennedy told investigators and Air Force Times, she felt a man forcefully rub against her buttocks. The airman said he was completely open with his leadership about mental health issues he was going through in the fall of 2020 and spring of 2021. USAFE said Retka chose to retire several months earlier than expected. The past year has been a busy one for the wing, which has been a part of U.S. European Commands efforts to reassure allies in eastern Europe in the wake of Russian aggression in Ukraine. Moving F-16s from the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem to Italy will better increase security along NATOs eastern flank and help preserve peace, Air Forces Europe said in a statement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Calling from Germany: Several witnesses said Retka then regularly engaged in the steamrolling pranks, sometimes while naked, the report said. DSN: 314-452-1110, An official website of the United States government. Widman declined to comment. The airmans mental health continued to deteriorate until one day in March 2021, when he attempted suicide. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that an Air Force spouse was not fired but instead stepped down from a Key Spouse organization. And the United States has been taken advantage of on trade, and on military, and on everything else for many years, the president said. The 52d Mission Support Group delivers world class mission support ensuring the wing is able to conduct wartime and contingency missions. Criminal charges were not filed against Retka, Myers said. 2015 Distinguished Graduate, Master of Science degree, Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College, Pa. 1. Group dental services include general dentistry, oral surgery, periodontics, orthodontics and prosthodontics. It served once more as an air defense unit in the southeastern United States. 52 FW Pillars: In January, the top enlisted leader in the branch, Chief Master Sgt. The Wisconsin Air National Guards 115th Fighter Wing has been working toward the F-35 for years nowTruax Field was selected as one of two preferred locations for, Eighteen KC-135s, spread over more than half a mile, lined up on the runwayat MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., on April 26the sixthelephant walk the Air Force has put on across the country in the past six weeks. January 2003 July 2004, student, U.S. Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, 16th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. 7. He went on to partake in the most prestigious opportunities the USAF has to offer its pilots. His official bio, which you can read in full here, states his responsibilities as such: "He is responsible for the mission readiness of the wings aircraft, 17 wing staff agencies, stewardship of Shaw, and the health and welfare of 6,576 active duty Airmen and civilians and more than 8,000 family members. The group consistently proves its combat effectiveness and versatility while supporting operations at home station, and at temporary duty and deployed locations throughout Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. Specifically, the wing maintains and employs F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft and $6 billion of United States Protection Level 1 assets in support of NATO and national defense directives. Wing Commander Col. David Epperson took administrative action against Retka after the Office of Special Investigations completed its investigation last September, Gabe Myers, a spokesman for U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, said Tuesday. The wing participated in numerous tactical exercises, operations, and tests of USAFE and NATO and provided close air support, interdiction, and base defense operations. The 470th Air Base Squadron (470 ABS) provides full spectrum support to 6,000 clients, patrons, customers and patients in 3 countries while supporting NATO, DoD and their family members. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. CL soon realized that his physical wellbeing and the wellbeing of his family were a low priority for Widman, who told him that he would have to come back to work and fit his medical appointments around workdays. U.S. Air Forces in Europe, with headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is a major command of the U.S. Air Force. Wolters said Spangdahlems 52nd Civil Engineering Squadron could move soonest, at a time to be determined, bound for Italy. Why would you put your privates beside my body?, She told investigators that Retka came up to her a few minutes later, apologized, and asked if they were OK, to which she responded Yeah, Tony, were good. The report quoted Kennedy as saying Retka then replied, Okay, good, because you were [indistinguishable] target. Kennedy told Air Force Times that Retka said she was the non-intentional target.. She told investigators that about 30 people had previously passed through the center aisle without any physical contact, and that there was eight to 10 feet of open space behind her. Ramstein Air Base is unaffected, DOD officials said. We applaud leaders like those in the 317th [airlift wing] and [maintenance group] that opened channels and empowered people to come forward, they added. Meanwhile, two wings that had planned to move to Spangdahlem will now stay put. The remainder would be relocated elsewhere in Europe. 6. Theyll be better for the experience, and in turn, well be better as an Air Force. CL felt that unfair treatment personally when he was recovering from injuries suffered while deployed. The base primarily handles C-17 and C-5 aircraft that carry fully equipped, combat-ready military units to any point in the world on short notice and provide field support to sustain the fighting force. Additionally, they support 16 geographically separated units by providing administrative, personnel, contingency response, force sustainment and quality of life support. The 52nd FW maintains, deploys and employs F-16CM Fighting Falcons in support of NATO and the national defense directives. Air & Space Forces Magazine is the official publication of the Air & Space Forces Association, 1501 Langston Boulevard, Arlington, Va., 22209-1198. June 2008 October 2009, student, Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, Calif. 10. The 52nd Fighter Wing (52 FW) is a wing of the United States Air Force stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. In these types of situations, I never forget that were dealing with real human beings, that I care deeply about, and that we are charged to take care of. He said on Twitter that the Pentagons plan is consistent with his view that the Pentagon needs to maintain a strong forward presence, sustain force projection, and take care of our military families.. Coming out of treatment, I went to this meeting with her, the shirt [Air Force term for first sergeant], and squadron chief, CL said. The squadron commander was the only person strong enough to break Retkas hold on the pilot, witnesses said. For example, the 52nd has increased rotational missions in Poland as part of EUCOMs push to bolster the military presence in the region. Maj. April Widman, the commander of the 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, was fired at 9 a.m. on Dec. 2, after the commander of the 317th Airlift Wing, Col. James Young . (SrA Marcus Morris/Air Force). Teixeira was a cyber defense operations journeyman and had been granted top-secret security clearance in 2021, according to an FBI affidavit filed in the criminal case against him. The 52d Operations Group consists of a fighter squadron, an operations support squadron and two geographically separated aviation detachments, both located in Poland. He was now working directly for Retka. The wing is comprised of approximately 5,000 military and civilian personnel spread across nine geographically separated units and thirteen real property sites in five different nations. Hauck is a command pilot with more than 2,400 hours in the F-16, including 285 combat hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Russia Continues Dangerous Flights in Syria, Risking International Incident, Wisconsin Guard Wing Accepts First 3 F-35s, 18 KC-135s Line Up at MacDill, as USAFs Surge in Elephant Walks Continues, USAF Analysis: China Hopes The US Cant Afford Enough B-21s to Make A Difference, Air Force Will Look at CV-22, New Army Helicopter for Long-Range Combat Search and Rescue, New Wing at Davis-Monthan Will Include MC-130s, Light Attack CSAF Says, Northrop Says Its Premature For Australia to Buy the B-21But Maybe Later, Air Force Suspends Leaders of Unit Involved in Classified Document Leak. Commanders are taking appropriate action as information becomes available, the Air Force said. U.S. Air Force Chief Toby Roach, 52nd Fighter Wing command chief, (left), holds the guidon while Col. David Epperson, 52nd FW outgoing commander, (center), and Col. Leslie Hauck, 52nd FW incoming commander, listened to opening remarks from Maj. Gen. Randall Reed, Third Air Force commander, during the 52nd FW Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on . The 52d Communications Squadron (52 CS) provides war-ready Airmen, communications capabilities, and cyber services to sustain Saber operations and Air Force power projection anytime, anywhere. You delivered on each and every priority at an astonishing pace, Epperson said. Witnesses interviewed by OSI also described a history of unprofessional, sexist and misogynistic comments and inappropriate behavior on Retkas part, including an inappropriate comment after an anti-sexual harassment skit. Within one month the wing had deployed people and equipment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in and around Afghanistan. The wing has seen many people and aircraft come and go throughout the years, but one thing remains the same. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a review of how classified information is handled and secured. The commander of the 102nd Intelligence Support Squadron, part of the Massachusetts Air National Guard in which the 21-year-old Teixeira served, was suspended from his leadership position, as was . Its no surprise to me that this team was the first in-theater to reach Initial Operation Capability for a new paradigm of deterrence that we call Agile Combat Employment, Reed added. Additionally, we work hand-in-hand with our mission partners to include DoDEA, AAFES, 726 AMS and DeCA. The five groups within the wing are responsible for operations, maintenance, mission support, medical operations, and munitions maintenance. The group consists of seven squadrons providing communications, security, contracting, transportation, supply, deployment planning and execution, education, lodging, food services, recreation, personnel support, fitness programs, engineering, housing, disaster response, explosive ordnance disposal, fire and environmental protection for more than 11,500 personnel in the local community and geographically separated units; all while preparing combat ready forces for US and NATO missions. Whether employing fighter and intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance aircraft or supporting strategic mobility operations, the wing continues to be a key asset to European security and NATO, providing domineering expeditionary air power. Hubert has been vice commander since July 2013. My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate.. IE 11 is not supported. The tankers were participating in MacDills Operation Violent Storm, an exercisedesigned to force, In the months following the reveal of Northrop Grummans B-21 Raider in December, several publications affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party or its Peoples Liberation Army published articles downplaying the aircrafts viability, saying the U.S. cannot afford enough of the bombers to make a difference in a possible conflict with, The Air Force will consider the Armys freshly-chosen Bell V-280 tiltrotor as a possible combat search and rescue platform for work in contested airspace, but will also look at other technical options, including the CV-22 as an interim solution, Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q., Brown, Jr. told the House, The planned Special Operations Power Projection Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., will include MC-130s, AC-130s, and light attack aircraft, Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Our team is committed to instilling professional leadership characteristics not only for leadership at the squadron level, but for every airman Col. Young wrote in his statement. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. Additionally, they utilize combat-ready Airmen with 36 different Air Force career specialties, to oversee a $6.3 million operating budget and provide sustained support across 23 functional areas while maintaining 16 facilities. U.S. Africa Command will also move out of Stuttgart, though its ultimate destination is yet to be determined, Wolters said. In 2010, the 22nd and 23rd Fighter Squadrons were combined to form the 480th Fighter Squadron. First-term airmen will have an easier time finding a new Air Force job, Meet 12M+, the new community app for military spouses, Kansas man upset he cant buy mini Toyotas like the Taliban and ISIS, Army Special Ops Command welcomes first female command sergeant major, UN envoy says Sudans warring sides agree to negotiate, Your next tech and incoming AI | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 4.28.2023, Home Improvement Loans What are my options? The 52d Operations Group Detachment 1, based at ask AB, Poland, represents the United States Air Force's first permanent presence in Poland and continues to foster bilateral defense ties, enhance interoperability and increase capacity to conduct military operations with Allied nations. The group consists of 7 squadrons providing communications, security, contracting, transportation, supply, deployment planning and execution, education, lodging, food services, recreation, personnel support, fitness programs, engineering, housing, disaster response, explosive ordnance disposal, fire and environmental protection for more than 15,000 personnel in the local community and geographically separated units, all while preparing combat ready forces for US and NATO missions. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Use that same number and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. The wing maintains and employs F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft in support of NATO and national defense directives. Near the end of 1992, it began receiving A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. In addition to moving the F-16s, EUCOM will relocate its own headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany, to Belgium, where NATO has its headquarters. Costs would include military construction and permanent change of station moves for Airmen and their families. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. They reveal details of U.S. spying on Russias war machine in Ukraine and secret assessments of Ukraines combat power, as well as intelligence about Americas allies, including South Korea and Israel. This whole incident sparked an investigation and we know what came from that., Though Widman declined to comment for this story, when asked about the accusations that Widman had retaliated against subordinates, the 7th Bomb Wing replied: Retaliation is illegal and not in alignment with our Air Force core values for integrity, Lt. Cashin wrote. Mosheh Gains is a Pentagon producer for NBC News. John covers U.S. military activities across Europe and Africa. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is in the best interest of the men and women of the 52nd Fighter Wing, Roberson said. Money Minute, What's next for experimental AI projects in the C4ISR sphere, Russians seem to be baiting US jets to dogfight in Syria, general says, Biden awards football trophy to Air Force Academy, Commanders suspended at base where alleged Pentagon leaker worked, Military sex assault reports rise, even as Army numbers fall. Wolters said Spangdahlem's 52nd Civil Engineering Squadron could "move soonest, at a time to be determined," bound for Italy. Esper estimated the cost to be several billion dollars, but did not provide a formal estimate. But the distance did not stop Widman and the assistant first sergeant of the 317 AMXS from making the drive down to the hospital to serve the airman separation paperwork. Germanys delinquent, they havent paid their fees, they havent paid their NATO fees, he said, referring to NATOs stated goal for member nations to spend 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense.
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