Im proud to serve with them, and Im inspired by them. Editors Note: This story was updated July 29 at 6:17 p.m EDT with additional details. All Rights Reserved. They support on-going contingency operations by deploying fully trained members for traditional security missions and joint expeditionary taskings. Col. Anthony Retka, who was commander of the 52nd Operations Group at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, was disciplined with an administrative action after an investigation into allegations that. Myers said the administrative action was taken only in response to the dinner incident, not the other incidents described to OSI. 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. The video features song, dance, lots of talcum powder, and a big male genitalia puppet. But at the same time, I wish I had [said] Tony, what is your goal? He was also told to make up for time absent from work as a result of the Air Force directed-med board appointments. The 52nd has always been prepared to SEEK ATTACK DESTROY. 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. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. The wing maintains and employs F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft in support of NATO and national defense directives. I know that loss of confidence is a common response from the Air Force, whenever someone is removed from a command position, and I think its important to understand why we take this approach. In 1987, the 52nd acquired F-16 Falcons and became the first wing to integrate F-16Cs with F-4Gs to form hunter/killer teams within individual fighter squadrons. Colonel Derek "Maestro" OMalley is the commander for the 20th Fighter Wing. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. The deployment of rotational forces from the United States we have observed whether its the BCTs going from the United States to Korea, to Poland, or the bomber task force, were finding that they are deploying at a much higher level of readiness, Esper said. If you were looking for passive leadership, then you chose the wrong person, Bilodeau said at the time. We still don't know what the cause was behind the firing, but it has come to our attention that the commander who did the deed made a very low-brow video with his squadronmates while deployed to Kunsan Air Base in Korea during the mid-2000s. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. Ultimately, the wing supports the Supreme Allied Commander by providing credible deterrence, delivering combat capabilities, executing joint reception, staging, onward movement, and integration, facilitating inter-theater airlift, and building partnership capacity. Witnesses said Retkas chokehold was a full asphyxiation that caused the drunk pilot to lose consciousness and soil himself. 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. Widman declined to comment. higher suicide rate among those career fields. It is also the air component of the U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command. 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. July 2001 January 2003, F-16 Flight Examiner, Flight Commander, 22d FS Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Shortly after publishing this piece, Colonel Derek 'Maestro' O'Malley gave us an exclusive and unprecedented in-depth interview in which we discuss the Gold Bon video, making mistakes, achieving redemption, and becoming a better leader because of it, as well as what goes into making a disciplinary decision for an Airman that has fallen into trouble. Additionally, the Maintenance Group operates a centralized jet engine repair facility and hydrazine servicing facility supporting locations within Europe and the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Wolters said Spangdahlem's 52nd Civil Engineering Squadron could "move soonest, at a time to be determined," bound for Italy. All Rights Reserved. In April 2010 the wing's strength was reduced by one third. Additionally, we work hand-in-hand with our mission partners to include DoDEA, AAFES, 726 AMS and DeCA. The White House approved the reorganization in June, and Pentagon officials began briefing Congress last week. The wing is organized with five groups responsible for operations, maintenance, mission support and medical operations, and has headquarters staff. I was done, no more dreams of commissioning and doing 20 years in the service. The commander of the 102nd Intelligence Support Squadron and a . Lt. Kaitlin Cashin, public affairs officer for the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess. 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 . Many of the more than 50 leaked documentsNBC News obtainedwere labeled Top Secret, the highest level of classification. Air Force fires commander who separated an airman recovering from a 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.. 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. Were looking forward to another amazing season with this team. 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. In December 1971, it became the host wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and inherited tactical squadrons from the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing at nearby Bitburg Air Base. DSN: 314-452-1110 The 52d Medical Group consists of Operational Medical Readiness, Health Care Operations, and Medical Support Squadrons. It was activated in 1948, but derives significant elements of its history from the predecessor Second World War 52nd Fighter Group, which is now the 52nd Operations Group, subordinate to the wing.. If youre thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. I would have wanted to stay in the Air Force, if not for Widmans treatment of him, the airman said. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor. 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. Lt. Col. Michael Driscoll, who was deputy commander under Retka, is now the groups acting commander. Personnel assigned to the 52nd FW continued to deploy for Operation Enduring Freedom circa 2020. The 52nd has always been prepared to SEEK ATTACK DESTROY. 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. 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. Hauck comes from Aviano Air Base, Italy, where he served as the commander of the 31st Operations Group. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. The 52nd Munitions Maintenance Group provides four fully capable U.S. munitions support squadrons responsible for the ownership, custody, accountability and release of war reserve munitions supporting Belgian, Dutch, German and Italian air forces. What Happens to the Air Forces Oldest F-22s if Congress OKs Their Retirement? 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. To make matters worse, their spouses needed support from base agencies, but the commander did not allow their deployment orders to be distributed to the members, which would have allowed the spouses to get that support. 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. He has also deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Noble Eagle. This line of thinking is the same as the Air Forces bomber deployments that have become prevalent in the Pacific. Though the investigation of Widman is still ongoing, two airmen who served under her spoke with Task & Purpose about their experience under her command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. I didnt want to make a big deal of it because the night had just started and I wanted to honor these nice people, Kennedy told Air Force Times. January 2003 July 2004, student, U.S. Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, 16th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. 7. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can help do away with the remnants of a culture that tolerated such behavior by leaders. Hubert has been vice commander since July 2013. In addition to air interdiction and counter air operations, the 480th is EUCOMs sole squadron capable of performing the "Wild Weasel" mission of suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses (SEAD). DSN: 314-452-1110, An official website of the United States government. When it comes to innovative thinking, you are the benchmark that all the rest of my wings measure against. Additionally, the squadron manages the execution and performance of $17 million in base-wide service contracts ranging from custodial services to military family housing change of occupancy. It was exciting to have the first female demo team pilot here at Shaw, but Im also just as excited about the many other females that are serving with great distinction across our Air Force. So they wasted a whole day and ruined my treatment, the airman said. Since then, the video been referenced in multiple military and aviation forums around the net. It deployed aircraft and personnel to strategic locations in Saudi Arabia and Turkey in support of the liberation of Kuwait from September 1990 March 1993. 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. If searching for a phone number on base, call the base operator. The commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, was relieved of command Tuesday over a loss of faith and confidence in his leadership. Service members will be told of re-stationing decisions well in advance in order to prepare themselves and their families for their move, USAFE said. Retka declined to comment, according to USAFE. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. He is also the base commander. 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. Read the full fact sheet. Oink, oink. Lieutenant general belittled staff, mocked female airmans weight, IG found. 52nd Mission Support Group > Spangdahlem Air Base > Fact Sheets The 52d Mission Support Group is organized into seven squadrons: The 52d Civil Engineer Squadron (52 CES) is responsible for maintaining, repairing and improving base real property to include 1,686 facilities, and also manage current and upcoming construction projects. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. Brown Jr. told Congress on April 27. Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. July 2004 August 2005, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 35th FS, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea. The highly classified documents are alleged to have been leaked by Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman. Col. Leslie Hauck accepted responsibility of the 52nd FW from Col. David Epperson in front of Airmen, local leaders and family, making him the 30th commander since its activation as the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing in December 1971. I cant give names but I can say that I witnessed the results of her trying to break him, he went on. At the time, Lt. Col. Kennedy was director of staff for the 52nd Fighter Wing. 52nd Fighter Wing - Wikipedia Members of those fields are widely understood to be the most depressed members of the service, and data leaked to the popular Facebook page Air Force amn/nco/snco in 2020 showed a higher suicide rate among those career fields than the rest of the branch. 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. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. William McKibban, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, stands at parade rest in front of a formation for the 52nd FW Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. As Saber Lead, Hauck now commands five groups, 23 squadrons and nine geographically separated units spread across five countries, with approximately 5,000 dedicated military and civilian personnel. The Air Force is investing to improve other bases across the region, including facilities in Poland, Estonia, and Romania. Id say single digits [of billions], but thatll be spread out over time, he said. But the fact that the spouse got access to the orders set Widman off, CL recalled. The group is also responsible for the safe storage, maintenance, buildup, and delivery of a combat ready munitions stockpile valued in excess of $275 million. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations. 2022Recurrent Ventures. The last major downsize at Spangdahlem came in 2013 with the departure of the 81st Fighter Squadron, the last A-10 unit based in Europe. Theyre way off, and theyve been off for years and they have no intention of paying it. from around the world. They were suspended pending further investigation into the unauthorized disclosure of classified information, the Air Force said. I really hope that the Air Force can grow and move forward in a more positive environment. 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. On 1 April 2017, the 606th Air Control Squadron, Detachment 1 was inactivated at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany following the relocation to Aviano Air Base, Italy. Within one month the wing had deployed people and equipment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in and around Afghanistan. Operations group commanders typically serve two-year stints, Myers said, but Retka last year volunteered to extend his time in charge of the 52nd. We will develop, care and continue to be innovative as Airmen.. 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.
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