Air Force colonel relieved of command at Dyess Air Force Base I tried to explain that its part of the religious accommodation process. He said, ok, well, thats not going to work in this wing. Air Force med group commander fired due to 'loss of trust and confidence' Basic changes would go a long way toward fixing culture clash, the retired airman said like clearly defining who is allowed to do certain tasks, and settle on a single standard for training and performance. Though the 14th Flying Training Wing public affairs office said Ellis was relieved due to loss of trust and confidence in her ability to lead, the Air Force in general has buckled down on its insistence that airmen get vaccinated. 475 students are trained at the school every year on average, as of 2016. The two-star general who was fired from command of the Air Force Warfare Center in 2019 has retired as a colonel after an investigation found he had a sexual relationship with a female subordinate. Lt Col. Matthew Lohmeier, commander of 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, was relieved from his post Friday by Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, the head of Space. Earlier in August, Anthony Kuhn, a managing partner at the Tully Rinckey law firm, told Task & Purpose that commanders have several options for dealing with troops who refuse the vaccine, including issuing them a letter of reprimand or taking other administrative action; using nonjudicial punishment to push them to get vaccinated; referring troops to an administrative separation board for failure to obey an order; or even referring service members to courts-martial, as happened in the past when troops refused to get vaccinated for anthrax, Kuhn said. She recalled Graham saying as much during her relief of command meeting. He joined the Air Force in 1999 and was promoted to the rank of colonel two years ago. It could be a challenge for some service members to acquire religious exemptions, Butch Bracknell, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel who served as a legal advisor for the 1st Marine Division, told Task & Purpose in August. Col. Katheryn Ellis, the former commander of the 14th Medical Group, told Task & Purpose that on Oct. 12 she was told by the commander of the 14th Flying Training Wing, Col. Seth Graham, to issue an order for two of her civilian employees to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. An audio recording of Donovan berating airmen was leaked online, and an anonymous person alleged a toxic culture of leadership" in the operations group for Tinker's 552nd Air Control Wing. And, bring Air Force leadership under the same roof as their subordinates. Courtesy photo Lt. Col. Craig Perry and his wife, Caroline, at the Military Training Instructor . I tried to explain that its part of the religious accommodation process. He said, ok, well, thats not going to work in this wing. That means that in certain cases, airmen have to find soldiers who are certified to administer a particular medication instead of doing it themselves. He has many years of experience in journalism, digital media and broadcasting and holds a degree from the University of Utah. Another witness reported seeing the two flirting, and once also saw the woman while intoxicated during an event hosted at Gerstens home make a sexually suggestive remark to Gersten. The wing is the single largest employer on the Mississippi coast and hosts the Second Air Force and 403rd Wing of the Air Force Reserve. No, you cant leave to talk to your commander, because they arent in the same building, the retired airman said. Investigation found fired Malmstrom squadron commander was bullying WASHINGTON The Air Force has made a change of leadership at the 81st Training Wing in Mississippi due to a loss of confidence in the commander, a top service official announced this week. Airmen were held to Army rules that unnecessarily complicated their jobs and slowed medical procedures, the former respiratory specialist said Thursday. He would not say anything more about why Ackerman was fired. She recalled Graham saying as much during her relief of command meeting. The 309th AMG is responsible for maintenance on aircraft from multiple military branches, including U.S. Navy and Marine Corps C-130Js, USAF F-22s, F-35s, F-16s, T-38s, and A-10s, according to a Hill release. Air Force). Read Next: Top Navy Auditor Sexually Harassed Women for 20 Years, IG Finds. She asked him for a divorce the next day. Previous conversations, formal complaints and other resignations havent moved the needle. Did you also not take the smallpox vaccine? Bracknell said. For example, if an airman is classified as non-deployable because they are not vaccinated, and if they are considered non-deployable for more than a year, the airman would be evaluated to be administratively or medically separated, the Air Force explains on its COVID-19 website. Because she felt the order conflicted with her religious beliefs, Ellis consulted with the base legal office the morning of Oct. 13 to figure out what to do next. Ellis further clarified that her beliefs do not compel her to prevent, delay or undermine efforts to ensure the vaccines are available and administered to others, they just prevent her from taking it herself or actively promoting or administering it to others herself. Modern-day Airmen applauded an Army veteran's 1988 humorous illustration of Air Force life when it resurfaced on Reddit earlier this month. The retired senior NCO has no qualms about the quality of care at Brooke Army Medical Center, noting that things run more smoothly in the trauma center and intensive care unit. Air Force's first female Viper pilot relieved of duty after two weeks For example, the Army follows state laws that require troops to hold certain licenses to administer drugs. Doug G. Ware covers the Department of Defense at the Pentagon. Bode, an orthopedic spine surgeon, said he repeatedly raised problems to his chain of command but that his superiors downplayed or ignored the concerns. These objections were included in my religious accommodation request.. The Air Force saw it differently. Spurred by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process, the Army and Air Force took on shared responsibilities at the freshly renovated Brooke Army Medical Center a decade ago. Capt. While Gersten and his then-wife were living apart and in the process of separating, they were still married during several months of Gerstens relationship with his girlfriend, which violated the Uniform Code of Military Justices prohibition against adultery. More:Former Oklahoma City police officer found not guilty in domestic violence case, This means living by core values every day and empowering subordinate leaders to promote these values through teaching, coaching and mentorship, Koscheski said. Her awards include a 2021 Society of Professional Journalists Washington Dateline Award and an Honorable Mention from the Military Reporters and Editors Association for her coverage of crime at Fort Hood. The Active-Duty Air Forces troubles meeting its recruiting goals have been well documented, as leaders and recruiters struggle, The Air Force expects the final report of a sweeping, first-of-its-kind suicide analysis board in the next few months, as the department looks to refine its prevention and response efforts. 2023 Stars and Stripes. Their relationship ended after Gersten was fired. When asked about the conversation, Graham declined to comment. At the end of the day, I ensured the orders were issued in a timely manner that didnt compromise my integrity or my religious beliefs and rights, Ellis, who first joined the Air Force in 1997 and has deployed to Afghanistan, told Task & Purpose. Ellis said the specific reason was because she did not issue the vaccination order herself. As commander of the 317th Airlift Wing, Owens, a 1996 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, was responsible for organizing, training, and equipping 1,200 personnel to operate, maintain, and sustain C-130J aircraft engaged in combat operations worldwide. Those unvaccinated airmen will be in violation of a lawful order and subject to discipline under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the Air Force wrote in a news release. Earlier this month, Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, commander of the 19th Air Force, relieved Col. Timothy Danielson at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, "for a loss of trust and confidence" in. A colonel at Tinker Air Force Base has been relieved of his duties after an investigation found he failed to foster a culture of safety and berated crews for not flying training missions on. Ex-Fort Hood brigade commander faces trial for abusive sexual contact I get at least one notification a day about an Air Force or Space Force teammate we have needlessly lost to COVID, said Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones. He explained that any request for a religious exemption would go through rigorous scrutiny to determine if the religion in question is legitimate and why a service members faith is opposed to this particular vaccine. Col. Katheryn Ellis, the former commander of the 14th Medical Group, told Task & Purpose that on Oct. 12 she was told by the commander of the 14th Flying Training Wing, Col. Seth Graham, to issue an order for two of her civilian employees to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. An investigation substantiated five of Bodes nine claims, he said, but the wing commander dismissed the IOs findings and substituted findings of her own that unsubstantiated all issues, unilaterally declaring that all was well.. Show when youve been opposed to this in the past and how did this all of a sudden become a part of your closely held religious belief. The report said that Gersten also engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a second civilian woman between 2010 and 2015. For the 2nd Time in 10 Months, the Commander of Utah AFB Maintenance The Air Force and the Space Force had a significant increase in reports of sexual assault last year, according to figures released April 27. Gersten was a 1989 Air Force Academy graduate who flew the F-16 Falcon, MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, and other aircraft. (Army) An Army colonel at Fort Hood, Texas, was relieved of command on Friday as . He explained that any request for a religious exemption would go through rigorous scrutiny to determine if the religion in question is legitimate and why a service members faith is opposed to this particular vaccine. An unidentified witness expressed concern to OSI that Gersten was at risk of blackmail over the relationship. Gersten was married during most of that period, the IG said. Col. Ann Meredith, commander of the 89th Military Police Brigade, was relieved due to a loss of confidence in her judgment, Lt. Col. Tania Donovan, III Army Corps spokesperson, told Army Times. According to taskandpurpose.com, another site dedicated to news for active-duty military members, veterans and their families, the crews that showed up exhausted for the training sorties were not given no-go pills that help airmen rest. Owens has been temporarily reassigned to the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess while he awaits another assignment. Published Oct 22, 2021 5:59 PM EDT. What Happens to the Air Forces Oldest F-22s if Congress OKs Their Retirement? Col. Christopher Ayres was removed by Maj. Gen. Roger W. Burg, the 20th Air Force commander. Ellis first received her commission in the Air Force in December, 1997, according to her command biography. "Every commander, at every level, has the inherent responsibility to promote and safeguard that trust. A. ", By This is what our airmen deserve and expect.". U.S. Air Force photo by Todd Cromar. By To defend this Nation, we need a healthy and ready force, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in an Aug. 9 memo to the force. Col. Chris Boring, commander of the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group, was relieved of command on March 3 due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead and command a group, according to Hill. Another gripe deals with how the facilities are laid out. There's no more reliable source for news about your Air Force. This is about readiness and ensuring our airmen and guardians are healthy and ready to defend the Nation.. Col. Tim Bush is no longer in command of the 319th Air. I would hope that those leaders are stronger leaders and instead of trying to make an example out of somebody that they would actually have some empathy and push the administrative response, but we know that is not always going to be the case, he continued. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Haynie). March 1, 2023, 12:18 PM. (Kemberly Groue/U.S. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations. But after their relationship started, witnesses said her performance took a nosedive. Bode added, Inside this command, many members have and continue to provide outstanding service despite the unforgivable conditions. Air Force Col. Katheryn Ellis was relieved of command of the 14th Medical Group at Columbus Air Force Mississippi on Thursday, according to the Columbus-based 14th Flying Training Wing public affairs office. Ellis further clarified that her beliefs do not compel her to prevent, delay or undermine efforts to ensure the vaccines are available and administered to others, they just prevent her from taking it herself or actively promoting or administering it to others herself. 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The 959th Medical Group employs 1,540 airmen who work alongside more than 6,000 Army personnel at the 425-bed facility. Concerns about Danielson raised in 'last 30 days' - Enidnews.com Earlier in August, Anthony Kuhn, a managing partner at the Tully Rinckey law firm, told Task & Purpose that commanders have several options for dealing with troops who refuse the vaccine, including issuing them a letter of reprimand or taking other administrative action; using nonjudicial punishment to push them to get vaccinated; referring troops to an administrative separation board for failure to obey an order; or even referring service members to courts-martial, as happened in the past when troops refused to get vaccinated for anthrax, Kuhn said. The Army made it clear that the airmen were guests in the building, a retired master sergeant who left Brooke Army Medical Center in 2015, three years after the 959th Medical Group stood up at the joint base, told Air Force Times. The Space Force uniforms are steadily getting fleshed out, with progress on everything from PT gear to new service dress items, including the debut of the women's service dress skirt. For example, if an airman is classified as non-deployable because they are not vaccinated, and if they are considered non-deployable for more than a year, the airman would be evaluated to be administratively or medically separated, the Air Force explains on its COVID-19 website. US Air Force colonel says she was fired for not ordering COVID-19 vaccine Colonel Ayres assumed command in May 2008. Former Air Combat Command head Gen. Mike Holmes relieved Gersten of command in person at the Air Forces Corona meeting of top generals at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida on June 2, 2019. More:Despite GOP claims, public did not favor carving up Oklahoma County. Donovan was moved to other responsibilities at Tinker, according to the report. U.S. Air Force Col. Katheryn Ellis, 14th Medical Group commander, receives her first salute as commander, July 6, 2021, on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. They went to marriage counseling for several months to try to salvage their relationship. But after every session, the ex-husband said, his ex-wife would immediately call Gersten. Sex with subordinate, inappropriate relationships cost fired warfare While the branch has a religious and medical exemption process like the one Ellis applied for, observers argue that the process is set up to drive waiver recipients out. I respect Col. Ellis privacy and will not discuss the specifics of any conversations I had with her, he said. Army Col. Ann Meredith has been fired from her position as 89th Military Police Brigade commander. A May 2020 release from Hill said Rivers was the deputy director of the 309th. Commander of Air Force's Mississippi Training Wing Removed The Air Force saw it differently. When you cant issue orders you have been given. The Army did not comment further on the investigation, citing a service policy that protects administrative information. His then-wife, who was by then at the Pentagon, began to go into another room to take phone calls and acted cagey. He checked his then-wifes phone records and saw frequent calls from Gersten in the middle of the night. Dec 7, 2017. Those unvaccinated airmen will be in violation of a lawful order and subject to discipline under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the Air Force wrote in a news release. Col. Chris Boring, commander of the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group, was relieved of command on March 3 due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead and command a group, according to Hill. The video features song, dance, lots of talcum powder, and a big male genitalia puppet. Married colonels at Fort Hood fired after separate investigations Apparently, the two civilians in question had already been vaccinated, but Bergin said the wing commander, Col. Graham, needed the order to be issued anyway, Ellis recalled. Air Force Reserve Takes 75th Anniversary Celebration to Talladega "This is a special day not only for the 70,000-plus Citizen Airmen of the Air Force Reserve, but also for NASCAR, as we're both celebrating our 75th anniversary this year," said Lt. Gen. John Healy, chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command. Dyess Air Force Base is located in West Texas near Abilene and is home to roughly 3,100 active-duty airmen. He said, I think you know what this is about. He agreed to do so, and on Oct. 15 he issued the order, Ellis said. The 309th performs depot repair, modification and maintenance support on the F-35 Lightning II, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the F-22 Raptor, the C-130 Hercules, the T-38 Talon and the A-10 Thunderbolt. (Kemberly Groue/U.S. I think the secretary has been very clear with the leaders of the military departments that he wants them to execute the mandate with a sense of compassion and understanding, Kirby said. Appoint liaisons to help the services understand each others norms, from performance reviews to work schedules, the airman added. Soon afterwards, he said, she grew distant from him, though he first chalked it up to the requirements of her new job. I would hope that those leaders are stronger leaders and instead of trying to make an example out of somebody that they would actually have some empathy and push the administrative response, but we know that is not always going to be the case, he continued. any request for a religious exemption would go through rigorous scrutiny, have several options for dealing with troops. The Army has eschewed cooperation and common sense at every turn, starting with its refusal to adopt a joint name like Brooke Military Medical Center instead, Bode wrote in his resignation letter. An audio recording of Donovan berating airmen was leaked online, All-Hispanic flight crew takes off at Tinker AFB to mark National Hispanic Heritage Month, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. He is based in Washington, D.C. 2023 Stars and Stripes. In this photo from Sept. 1, 2022, Hunter congratulates senior airmen at an event at the base. A recent command-directed investigation substantiated allegations that Owens failed to establish and maintain a healthy command climate and created a toxic work environment. Still, he cautioned others not to take leadership positions at the beleaguered center. He was promoted to his current rank in August 2015. She previously held command and staff positions at the company, battalion, and brigade levels, Army officials said. They will be re-posted once . Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Commander of Cannon Air Force Base medical squadron relieved, Defense electronic health records rollout is halfway done, even as VAs is delayed, Dozens of VA medical centers slated for closure, total rebuilds under new infrastructure plan, An absolute slap in the face: Medical group superintendent kept her job after investigation found she created a toxic workplace. Forces Morn Air Base was relieved of command in April, days after it emerged he pushed an airman to conceal their . I know he made this clear to them that he knows as a former commander himself, that leaders have a range of tools available to them to help troops make the right decisions for themselves, for the units, for the families, short of using the Uniform Code of Military Justice, therefore, short of punitive measures.. Boring stepped into the role in June 2020 after the groups previous commander, Col. Randy Ackerman, also was relieved of command in May 2020. The female officer told other staff at the Warfare Center, family members and a local friend about her relationship with Gersten, the report said, and later told the Office of Special Investigations about their relationship in detail. "The position of command is a position of trust," said Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of the Air Education and Training Command. BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --. The Air Force saw it differently. (SrA Joshua Kleinholz/Air Force). "Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting, Space Operations Command commander, relieved Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier of command of the 11th Space Warning Squadron, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, May 14, due to . Hunters dismissal is the latest in a series of Air Force firings in recent months.
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