A mystery at a California military base led to claims of a cover-up. RELATED: U.S. airman killed in training exercise in Ukraine confirmed from 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno, In a statement, U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Kelly, commander of the 144th Fighter Wing said, "We are a close-knit family and when a tragedy like this occurs, every member of the 144th Fighter Wing feels it. Gen. David Hawkins made antisemitic and homophobic slurs, including that Jews are unrepentant sinners and that gay marriage is a reason terrorists attack the United States. The 20,000-member Guard, a branch of the California Military Department, which is also led by the adjutant general, serves a dual mission that includes responding to emergencies in the state, such as earthquakes, wildfires and civil disturbances, and assisting U.S. armed forces in military operations overseas. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- If you were near Fresno Yosemite International Airport Wednesday morning, there's a good chance you saw and heard plenty of military aircraft activity. Stunning 4K videos show F-117s operating in California more than a decade after the stealth jet retired. Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times The command change follows a Los Angeles Times report on allegations that whistleblowers at the Guards Fresno base suffered reprisals for questioning actions or conduct, including an incident in which a female guardsman discovered urine in her boots. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. April 12, 2019 7:05 PM PT A third high-ranking officer in the California Air National Guard has been removed from his position because of complaints he made whistleblowers feel threatened at the. Many of the pilots are part-time reservists, signing up after careers in the U.S. Air Force, and some fly in their civilian lives for commercial airlines. California California Air National Guard removes commander over threats against whistleblowers A third high-ranking officer in the California Air National Guard has been removed from. 144th Fighter Wing taking to the skies for night-flight . As part of the Air Reserve Component of the United States Air Force, the wing is operationally gained by the Air Combat Command . A guard spokesman on Friday, April 5, 2019, confirmed the shakeup, but did not have additional details. Airman & Family Readiness Office: But fellow officers are questioning the investigations, complaining about retaliation for their contributions and a potential cover-up. At least one person recorded the briefing, where Sikora said anyone filing complaints was causing problems for the wing, according to the report. That inquiry is part of a broader investigation into whether whistleblowers at the 144th suffered reprisals for questioning the actions of their superiors on a range of matters. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. Both of them, along with others, felt targeted by Sikora's remarks, the report said. Both were inconclusive and the case was closed. He said he believed that having subordinates give him rides to medical appointments was consistent with the Air Forces wingman concept, in which Guard members look out for one another. Troy Havener, 144th Fighter Wing commander, said, "We have the distinct honor of being the . Hawkins told The Times that those allegations are largely untrue and specifically denied making the statement about terrorist attacks. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. Woodside says it should've been handled differently from the start, especially since people in command positions might've been involved. The document quoted one unnamed Guard member as saying he did not want to drive Magram because my job is to take care of the airmen in the state of California and not be a chauffeur for a general.. Three days later, the report said, he called a mandatory meeting of his subordinates to discuss his suspension. The California air guard is the second largest, after New York's, in the Air National Guard, which is a force of more than 100,000 pilots, other officers and enlisted people. 'Double-dipping' probe targets Air National Guard pilots in Fresno One of the jets was a single-engine F-16C Fighting . The 144th is renowned for its F-15 pilots working to protect California and the country. In California, he held various positions at the 146th Airlift Wing at Port Hueneme before heading the 129th Rescue Wing in the Mountain View area. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. FRESNO, Calif. (AP) The head of the California Air National Guard, Major General Clay Garrison, was relieved of his command and replaced by Brigadier General Gregory Jones two months. Lt. Col. Seth "Jethro" Nehring stands in front of a Ukrainian Su-27UB aircraft parked at the Starokostiantyniv air base in the Khmelnytskyi region of western Ukraine. (559) 454-5286 But at least five of its Air National Guard members have filed internal complaints about a nasty incident and other concerns. A general is fired from the scandal-plagued California National Guard Jennifer Pineda found out someone urinated in her uniform boots. Scandals taint highest ranks of National Guard - PressReader FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An airman from Fresno, killed in a crash of a fighter jet in Ukraine, has been identified as Lt. Col. Seth "Jethro" Nehring. Baldwin has been adjutant general of the Guard since 2011, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Our traditional members serve one weekend each month and about two weeks each year, with opportunities for full-time employment. Published Nov. 8, 2022. The urine incident and its aftermath fueled suspicions within the Guard that high-ranking officers, including Garrison, mishandled two investigations to find the perpetrator and tried to bury the episode to protect someone who may have been involved, according to interviews and Guard records obtained by the Times. Fresno-based fighter pilot killed in Ukraine identified as Lt. Col FRESNO, Calif. (AP) The head of the California Air National Guard, Major General Clay Garrison, was relieved of his command and replaced by Brigadier General Gregory Jones two months after a newspaper detailed the fallout from a scandal involving someone urinating in the boots of a service member. The Air Force initially issued a letter of admonishment to Magram as a result of the first inspector general investigation. At least five Guard members from the 144th Fighter Wing filed formal complaints. At least five Guard members, including a pilot who was killed in October in a crash during a training mission in Ukraine, from the 144th wing filed formal complaints. Oops! Dont Put Plastic Bags in That Blue Recycling Cart! This clearly means that anyone exercising their right to speak with the IG or the press is not honorable, not a good person, and implies they are not a red-blooded American, the report quotes Swertfager as saying. FRESNO, Calif. - The roar of two fighter jets flying over Fresno marked the beginning of a new era June 18. Mission [ edit] Rieger recommended in his report that Sikora receive a memorandum of reprimand and be relieved of command due to the loss of faith in him as a 144th leader. Based on this article, and in addition to other evidence collected, it would appear that there is a culture of reprisal, or at a minimum the perception of reprisal, that has a long stemmed history within the 144th, the inspector general report states. The inquiry also determined that Magram failed to complete his annual cybersecurity training and thus had lower-ranking Guard members each day request that headquarters temporarily restore his computer access. He said the same about his decision to fire Maj. Gen. Gregory Jones, commander of the air wing of the Guard. Gen. Tim Rieger, who was tasked by Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, head of the California Military Department, with investigating Sikora's actions. Latest They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. The Guard memo obtained by The Times says Magram on several occasions wrongfully encouraged or requested subordinates to perform tasks or run errands for him outside their military duties, such as giving him rides to personal appointments. The complaints focused on the Guard's Fresno air base and included an incident in which someone urinated in a female Guard member's boots. This went on for about two weeks, until he had the training completed by a subordinate. April 5, 2019 / 7:29 PM Baldwin denied that the jet had been prepared for such a deployment and said the move against Magram had nothing to do with the report. The urine incident and its aftermath fueled suspicions within the guard that high-ranking officers, including Garrison, mishandled two investigations to find the perpetrator and tried to bury the episode to protect someone who may have been involved, according to interviews and guard records obtained by the Times. Jennifer Pineda, a 15-year veteran of the Guard, was about to change into her uniform in a women's bathroom at the 144th Fighter Wing when she discovered her boots had been soiled. Committee votes on major defense policy bill expected in May, Military families share workout with first lady Jill Biden, US conducts first evacuation of its citizens from Sudan war, Ukrainian drones strike Crimea oil depot, Russian official says, Interior designers remodel Jack Teixeiras camo bedroom monstrosity, Understanding the role of artificial intelligence, Mark Kitz keynote speech at the C4ISRNET conference, The latest on software, data and artificial intelligence, 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, Davis-Monthan to launch new special operations wing as A-10 retires. | Gen. Jones will be able to lead the organization effectively and with the utmost integrity.. Ron DeSantis replaced the Florida National Guard's adjutant general two years ago amid revelations of sexual abuse, coverups and reprisal. Recruiters: The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. The 144th is the biggest wing in the state, home to roughly 115 officers, including about two dozen fighter pilots, and more than 1,000 enlistees in support units. The 144th is the biggest wing in the state, home to roughly 115 officers, including about two dozen fighter pilots, and more than 1,000 enlistees in support units. At least five guard members from the 144th wing filed formal complaints. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. A third high-ranking officer in the California Air National Guard has been removed from his position because of complaints he made whistleblowers feel threatened at the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Valley Weather Rollercoaster: Mid-90s Now, Upper 60s Next Week, Adventure in Spices? Jennifer Pineda, a 15-year veteran of the guard, was about to change into her uniform in a women's bathroom at the 144th Fighter Wing when she discovered her boots had been soiled. Sikora did not respond to requests for comment Friday. (559) 453-5461 Our traditional members serve one weekend each month and about two weeks each year, with opportunities for full-time employment. Public Affairs Office: The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. Investigators reached no conclusions that time around either. Woodside says the IG system isn't working right now, though, because investigators aren't acting independently of wing commanders. The 194th Fighter Squadron (194 FS) is a unit of the California Air National Guard 's 144th Fighter Wing (144 FW) at Fresno Air National Guard Base, California. Members of the 144ths security forces conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. Now the California Air National Guard faces coverup allegations. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details.
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