spangdahlem squadron commander fired

The member of Key Spouses managed to get those orders on her own, and she worked with the Airmen and Family Readiness Center to make sure the other spouses had access to the right resources. 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. The commander of the 102nd Intelligence Support Squadron who was suspended was not identified in Wednesdays Air Force statement. Maj. The 52nd FW maintains, deploys and employs F-16CM Fighting Falcons in support of NATO and the national defense directives. U.S. Air Forces in Europe, with headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is a major command of the U.S. Air Force. The wing provides United States Air Forces in . The wing has seen many people and aircraft come and go throughout the years, but one thing remains the same. In addition to moving the F-16s, EUCOM will relocate its own headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany, to Belgium, where NATO has its headquarters. 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. Additionally, we work hand-in-hand with our mission partners to include DoDEA, AAFES, 726 AMS and DeCA. The current mission statement of the 52d Fighter Wing is to deliver Airpower options to deter and combat aggression. When people see the Airpower portion of this, they often times assume this means flying, but the mission goes well beyond that. Maj. April Widman, commander of the 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, stands for a photo at Dyess Air Force Base, March 17, 2021. of the Air Force JoAnne Bass, said she was looking into an incident of an airman in Colorado who was sent a Letter of Reprimand and a Letter of Counseling shortly after attempting suicide. Retka, who took over the operations group in August 2017, was in his third year in command, and had already been planning to retire at Spangdahlem, Myers said. Several witnesses said Retka then regularly engaged in the steamrolling pranks, sometimes while naked, the report said. Mission: Deliver Airpower options to deter and combat aggression. Kennedy told investigators she was in shock and disbelief at what had just happened and felt numb, upset and uncomfortable. In April 2010 the wing's strength was reduced by one third. 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. Pentagon leaders on July 29 sought to highlight the strategic goals of the moves, but Trump said the impetus is largely to punish Berlin. New commander takes charge of 52nd FW - Spangdahlem Air Base -Agile Combat Employment caitlin parker nashville tn address; justin kobylka reptiles net worth; city of newark, nj code enforcement division; frac sand hauling jobs no experience The squadron oversees $60 million in annual obligations, co-leads with CPTS the wings end of fiscal year operations, manages the FWs $25 million Government Purchase card program and Quality Assurance Program (as it relates to contracts), and provides all contracting authority for Theater Security Package operations. June 2018 present, Commander, Shaw AFB, S.C. June 2015 June 2017, Senior Military Advisor for Air Warfare Systems, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Director of Operational Test & Evaluation, Pentagon, Va. And the United States has been taken advantage of on trade, and on military, and on everything else for many years, the president said. Spangdahlem AB and the 52nd Fighter Wing have a rich history. All Rights Reserved. Rating: command pilot Flight hours: more than 2,100, including 146 combat hours Aircraft flown: T-3, T-37, T-38, F-15E, F/A-18F, F-35A, and F-16, Distinguished Flying Cross with valor device, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. As the wings director of staff, Lt. Col. Kennedy had been working directly for former wing Commander Col. Jason Bailey. Additionally, they provide combat arms training for base personnel including surrounding GSUs, conduct criminal investigations as well as assisting host nation police when involving military personnel/dependents (or as requested), and processes vehicle registration & drivers license testing. He was also told to make up for time absent from work as a result of the Air Force directed-med board appointments. A second airman said he experienced similar treatment. 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.. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. Based in Stuttgart, Germany, he previously worked for newspapers in New Jersey, North Carolina and Maryland. He has been charged with possessing classified documents pertaining to national security and possessing national defense material. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. Leslie Hauck, 52nd Fighter Wing incoming commander, renders his first salute during the 52nd FW Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. In January and December 1999, the wing supported Operations Northern Watch, Allied Force, and Decisive Forge with numerous deployments to Italy and Turkey. 6. 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. Other airmen shared negative experiences regarding Widman on social media. The Air Force relieved an officer of command who served separation paperwork to an airman in a mental health clinic for treatment after a suicide attempt, made one airman feel like a piece of shit for going through a medical evaluation board, and retaliated against an airmans spouse. The 52d Contracting Squadron (52 CONS) provides agile contracting support and solutions for Spangdahlem Air Base, its GSUs, and deployed operations. 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 . Mission, Airmen and Community It's stupid and maybe funny in an immature way, and I mean real immature. 2023 Stars and Stripes. Immediately afterward, Kennedy told investigators and Air Force Times, she felt a man forcefully rub against her buttocks. It is a slap in the face at a friend and ally when we should instead be drawing closer in our mutual commitment to deter Russian and Chinese aggression, Romney said in a statement. Affected allied nations and NATO leaders were notified in the past few days, Esper said. A female officer acting in the skit played the part of a harasser who was badgering a junior male airman for a date and offering her number. June 2014 June 2015, student, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pa. 14. Criminal charges were not filed against Retka, Myers said. We had more than 2 dozen people reach out and tell us about how she, the first shirt, and other [senior enlisted leaders] were abusing folks going through issues that required treatment (both with mental health and other medical), wrote The Salty Crew Chief 2.0, an Instagram page popular among Air Force maintainers, in a Dec. 3 post about Widmans firing. Two months later, he took command of Spangdahlems 480th Fighter Squadron, under Retkas command. O'Malley, a highly accomplished fighter pilot, also oversees the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team that calls the base home, the same unit that Kotnik was relieved from. Others will find it unbecoming of the positions and responsibilities of some of the people most prominently featured in it. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melody W. Howley. It is also the air component of the U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command. Careerism and cronyism are a cancer in the Air Force that is causing retention issues, he said. People do not want to work for assholes who play favorites.. The Air Force has suspended leaders of the Massachusetts Air National Guard unit involved in the leak of a trove of classified documents, the service said April 26. Myers said retiring was Retkas choice, and that he was not ordered or pressured to retire early. Following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon in the United States on September 11, 2001, the 52nd Fighter Wing began preparations for possible combat tasking. His retirement leaves the operations group without a permanent commander until June, when his official replacement will assume command. The Public Affairs office is unable to redirect calls or provide phone numbers. Spangdahlem AB and the 52nd Fighter Wing have a rich history. At the time, Lt. Col. Kennedy was director of staff for the 52nd Fighter Wing. Kotnik, but shes surrounded by wingmen that will help her every step of the way. Read the full fact sheet. August 1999 July 2001, Assistant Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 389th FS, Mt Home AFB, Idaho, 5. My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate.. June 2017 June 2018, Vice Commander, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah. Im proud to serve with them, and Im inspired by them. 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. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Want to write for Task & Purpose? CL said at the end of all this, I got burnt out and no amount of optimism could change the reality of the situation, he said. Kotnik make mistakes, I want them to have the opportunity to learn from them without being under public scrutiny, and to continue to be a part of this great service. Esper said force changes could start to take place within weeks. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. (A1C Branden Rae/Air Force). It thrust me forward.. August 2005 June 2008, F-16 Instructor, Assistant Director of Operations, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, 16th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. 9. The Defense Department will move 11,900 people out of American military installations across Germany, Esper said, including 6,400 whose jobs would return to the U.S. DSN: 314-452-1110 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. Maj. Gen. Randall Reed, commander of Third Air Force at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, presided over the ceremony. When it comes to innovative thinking, you are the benchmark that all the rest of my wings measure against. A second Air National Guard unit has its first F-35s, as three of the fifth-generation fighters arrived at Truax Field, Wisc., on April 25.