Jennifer Pineda, a 15-year veteran of the guard, was about to change into her uniform in a womens bathroom at the 144th Fighter Wing when she discovered her boots had been soiled. Off the Bottom Rope We share in the sorrow felt by Jethro's loved ones and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as well as those of the Ukrainian aviator.". The California air guard is the second largest in the Air National Guard, a force of more than 100,000 pilots, other officers and enlisted people. Captain Nehring is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with California Air National Guard's 194th Fighter Squadron in Fresno. 2019 the Los Angeles Times. Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, who oversees both the air and army branches of the California Guard as adjutant general of the Military Department, was unavailable for comment, Keegan said. Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. Mission [ edit] 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. The 20,000-member Guard serves a dual stateand-federal mission that includes responding to emergencies in California, such as earthquakes, wildfires and civil disturbances, and assisting U.S. armed forces in military operations overseas. Gov. 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. 4/23 update:The LA Times has dug into the California Air National Guard scandal. A six-barrel cannon can shoot enemy fighters out of the sky. All Rights Reserved. 144th Fighter Wing Welcomes F-117 Nighthawks for Training Garrison and Kelly did not respond to interview requests. The two-seat Su-27UB went down on Tuesday in western Ukraine. Federal investigators on Thursday arrested a 21-year-old air national guardsman who they believe is linked to a trove of leaked classified U.S . Gen. Gregory Jones two months after a newspaper. The California Air National Guard is the second largest unit in the Air Guard, a force of more than 100,000 pilots, other officers and enlisted people. Overview. 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 guard member discovered urine in her boots. Chris Drudge), U.S. airman killed in training exercise in Ukraine confirmed from 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno. Local The commander of the fighter squadron at the time, Col. Sean Navin, was one of the drinkers. Latest Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. The report was prepared by Brig. Lt. Col. Nehring and a Ukrainian service member were killed when the Ukrainian Su-27UB aircraft they were in crashed during a familiarization flight. 2019 the Los Angeles Times. (559) 454-5286 You must meet certain enlistment criteria to qualify for the Air National Guard. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. 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. To find out about jobs in the Air National Guard check out: Public Scoping Process: July 19 - Sept. 2, 2022, COVID-19 What is the U.S. Government doing, FRESNO RELATIVE RISK SITE EVALUATION FACT SHEET & SCORING SUMMARIES, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. The head of the California Air National Guard and one of its five wing commanders have been removed from their positions amid complaints of reprisals against whistleblowers and allegations of a cover-up of misconduct that reached into the highest ranks of the organization, officials announced Friday. The complaints disclosed by The Times focused on the leadership of the Fresno base and included an alleged cover-up of an incident in which someone urinated in a female Guard member's boots. A 144th pilot, Lt. Col. The Air Force says that Nehring was handpicked to take part in Clear Sky due to his more than 20-year career as a pilot flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle aircraft. They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. Oops! Dont Put Plastic Bags in That Blue Recycling Cart! The Fresno Air National Guard base is home to the 144th . The Times reported last year that an internal inquiry substantiated allegations that Brig. Gen. Tim Rieger, who was tasked by Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, head of the California Military Department, with investigating Sikora's actions. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. Legendary Valley Thoroughbred Elected to Racing Hall of Fame, Collision Ends Smyly Perfect Game Bid, Cubs Top Dodgers 13-0, Oakland As Set Vegas Move in Motion With Stadium Land Deal, Draymond Greens Suspension Is the Talk of the NBA Playoffs, California U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Loh paid a visit to the California Air National Guards 144th Fighter Wing where he engaged with Airmen during their drill Feb. 4, 2023, at the Fresno Air National Guard Base. Recruiters: The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. 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 guard member discovered urine in her boots. Air National Guard - ABC30 Fresno Consent from a parent or NORTH DIGHTON, Mass. The head of the California Air National Guard and one of its five wing commanders have been removed from their positions amid complaints of reprisals against whistleblowers and allegations of a cover-up of misconduct that reached into the highest ranks of the organization, officials announced Friday. It said Sikora used insulting and defamatory language in remarks to subordinates. A general forced out as head of the California Air National Guard two weeks ago says the state Guard commander has lost touch with reality.. Baldwin later removed the commander of the Guards air side, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison. A Guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. Keegan said Garrison will retire in the coming weeks. Pissgate was just one example, Woodside said. The preferred location for the new F-35A squadron is Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., while the F-15EXs are slated for Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, La., and Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif. All three bases currently operate older F-15C/D model fighters which the Air Force wants to retire in the coming years. Rob Swertfager, also filed a complaint alleging that commanders punished him including by withholding his pay on occasion for speaking up for Pineda. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. The head of the California Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, was relieved of his command and replaced by Brig. In a report released after the ousters of Garrison and Kelly, the Military Department inspector general cited findings of the Times investigation two months ago. (559) 454-5274 Allegations of retaliation against whistleblowers in the California National Guard are more widespread than the complaints made at a Fresno air base that led to a dramatic leadership shakeup of the organization earlier this month, The Times has found. Contact the Public Affairs Office at: 144FW.HQ.PublicAffairs@us.af.mil, Directory: 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. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Careers - AF Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, were removed in the wake of a Times investigation, Head Of The California Air National Guard Dismissed After Alleged Cover-up In 'Pissgate' Scandal. This went on for about two weeks, until he had the training completed by a subordinate. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. The 144th is renowned for its F-15 pilots working to protect California and the country. Charles Vaughn). (559) 453-5461 SACRAMENTO, Calif. Grand juries in Fresno and Sacramento have indicted eight current or former members of the California National Guard, in seven separate cases, charging them with wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining recruiting referral bonuses, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. A recent spate of alleged misconduct by high-ranking officers underscores the need for reform in Californias National Guard, current and former Guard members say. In yet another ouster of a top commander for the troubled California National Guard, a brigadier general has been fired after internal inquiries found that he inappropriately used military personnel for personal tasks, had a subordinate complete part of his cybersecurity training and otherwise engaged in conduct that seeded distrust in the ranks. Garrison ran the base at the time of the incident. Maj. Dan Woodside, a retired 144th fighter pilot who is a witness in an inspector general's Pineda investigation and has complained about how she was treated, said Guard members were afraid to approach Garrison with any reports of wrongdoing, fearing they would be punished. 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. Magram had generally confirmed the members accounts of running errands for him, according to the report. Baldwin said the fact that he resided in El Dorado Hills, where the protests were small and peaceful, had no bearing on the deployment of the RC-26B reconnaissance plane. 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. Ron DeSantis replaced the Florida National Guard's adjutant general two years ago amid revelations of sexual abuse, coverups and reprisal. A member of the Judge Advocate General Corps, Maj . The California air guard is the second largest in the Air National Guard, a force of more than 100,000 pilots, other officers and enlisted people. After The Times began asking questions about the Pineda episode, the military department asked the U.S. Air Force Inspector General's Office to conduct an investigation the third into the Pineda incident. Gen. In a second investigation months later, they finally talked to people who were in the building that night, having drinks after finishing a day of work. Rob Swertfager, also filed a complaint alleging that commanders punished him including by withholding his pay on occasion for going to bat for Pineda. Keegan said the department had lost faith, trust and confidence in Garrison's ability to lead. Police investigating early morning homicide in Porterville, Child among 5 killed by drunk gunman still on loose: TX police, 1 missing, 2 rescued after getting swept away in Kaweah River. Paul Pringle is a Los Angeles Times reporter who specializes in investigating corruption. ", By Members of the 144th Medical Detachment 1 recently completed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region IX California Homeland Response Force (HRF) external evaluation March 30, 2023, at Camp Roberts, California. "Back when this happened in 2015, if the Air Force Office of Special Investigation got involved, maybe it would've been handled differently," said the former judge advocate general, or JAG. Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, California Air National Guard commander, addresses service members from participating countries during the opening ceremony for Clear Sky 2018 exercise at Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, Oct. 8, 2018. The following year, officers at the 144th destroyed the evidence collected from the crime scene, saying it was old and no longer needed. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. California Air National Guard removes commander over threats against whistleblowers in 'pissgate' scandal A third high-ranking officer in the California Air National Guard has been. Fresno Scandal Forces Out Air National Guard Commander Public Affairs Office: See Why Customers Flocked to Fresno Cannabis Store on Day 1. A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter jet assigned to the California Air National Guard's 144th Fighter Wing has made some passes and garnered attention on the internet recently, after . 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. First published on April 5, 2019 / 7:29 PM. Behold F-117s On Their Historic Deployment To Fresno In These Stunning Magram attained the rank of assistant adjutant general and had been part of Baldwins inner circle. 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. Jennifer Pineda, a 15-year veteran of the guard, was about to change into her uniform in a womens bathroom at the 144th when she discovered her boots had been soiled. 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.. Jones was unavailable for comment, Keegan said. Disgusting discovery, accusations of cover-up at Fresno - ABC30 Fresno ), At Willie Nelson 90, country, rock and rap stars pay tribute, but Willie and Trigger steal the show, Concertgoer lets out a loud full body orgasm while L.A. Phil plays Tchaikovskys 5th, Plaschke: Lakers live up to their legacy with a close-out win for the ages, L.A. Affairs: I had my reasons for not dating white men. Baldwin has been adjutant general of the Guard since 2011, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Woodside says the IG system isn't working right now, though, because investigators aren't acting independently of wing commanders. Fresno's 144th Fighter Wing protects skies above Super Bowl In interviews with the Times, several current and former members of the guard described a culture of retaliation by high-ranking officers and mistrust in the inspector general system intended to hold them accountable. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. FRESNO, Calif. The head of the California Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, was relieved of command and replaced by Brig. Zakaria: These Revolutions May Help India Really Take off at Last, Future of California at Risk if CEQA Environmental Law Remains Unchanged, California Tax on Booze Would Double if These Activists Get Their Way. Mercedes Taylor. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 194th Fighter Squadron - Wikipedia To find out about jobs in the Air National Guard check out: https://www.goang.com/ Public Affairs This website is managed by the Public Affairs Office. Former military lawyer Scott Taylor tells us the story now is less about the crime and more about officers accusing their superiors of covering it up. 144th FW signs Heritage jet. The urine incident and its aftermath fueled suspicions 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. The 144th Fighter Wing (FW) of the California Air National Guard occupies two separate parcels of land (the main base area and the Munitions Storage Area) totaling 110.726 acres (0.44809 km 2) of leased land on the Fresno Yosemite International Airport . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 144th FW signs Heritage jet > 144th Fighter Wing > Article Display (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. 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. Our traditional members serve one weekend each month and about two weeks each year, with opportunities for full-time employment. (559) 454-5383 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. Director of Psychological Health: Airman & Family Readiness Office: Members of the 144th's security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. A 144th pilot, Lt. Col. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno's 144th Fighter Wing is under scrutiny from the U.S. Air Force Inspector General's Office because of a disgusting discovery four years ago. The 194th is equipped with the F-15 Eagle and like its parent wing, the 144th Griffins, is operationally-gained within the active U.S. Air Force by the Air Combat Command (ACC). 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. 'Double-dipping' probe targets Air National Guard pilots in Fresno 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Col. Dave Johnston, a commander who signed off on the evidence destruction, said in statements provided to The Times that he had consulted with Garrison before doing so. "They're scared to speak up so I'm speaking for them," said Maj. Dan Woodside. Valley Weather Rollercoaster: Mid-90s Now, Upper 60s Next Week, Adventure in Spices? Fresno Guard pilots who step into an F-16 cockpit might risk their lives or carry in their hands the survival of others and the. (559) 454-5100 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. Hawkins told The Times that those allegations are largely untrue and specifically denied making the statement about terrorist attacks. The head of the California Air National Guard and one of its five wing commanders have been removed from their positions amid complaints of reprisals against whistleblowers and allegations of. The familiarization flight was part of a joint military training exercise called Clear Sky 2018, which kicked off last week. Gen. Jones will be able to lead the organization effectively and with the utmost integrity.. 144th Fighter Wing - AF Our mission is to promote positive support for the 144th Fighter Wing and the California Air National Guard by providing accurate, relevant and timely information to our members, their families, our local community, our state and our nation. Weeks later, the longtime head of the Guard, Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, retired. Police investigating early morning homicide in Porterville, Child among 5 killed by drunk gunman still on loose: TX police, 1 missing, 2 rescued after getting swept away in Kaweah River. Crime Garrison was the top commander of the air guard, and Kelly headed the 144th wing. The exercise is a joint and multinational exercise that will involve approximately 950 personnel from nine nations. News, Latest Latest, Latest Clear Sky brings together more than 950 personnel from Ukraine and eight NATO nations. Published Apr 15, 2019 10:00 AM EDT. The U.S. and Ukrainian governments are investigating to determine the cause of the accident. Brig. 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.
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