Woodside says the IG system isn't working right now, though, because investigators aren't acting independently of wing commanders. An F-117 Nighthawks at the Fresno Air National Guard Base in California, September 15, 2021 . A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. 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. Overview. ", By She also signed off on the request to discard the evidence. Rob Swertfager, also filed a complaint alleging that commanders punished him including by withholding his pay on occasion for speaking up for Pineda. Local Education To ensure they are prepared for the task at hand, the 144th Fighter Wing, Security Forces Squadron, trains for Agile Combat Employment at Camp Roberts, California, Feb. 2, 2023. Pineda filed a whistleblower complaint, in which she wrote that she feared she'd be forced out of the military because some had speculated that she urinated in her own boots for attention.. | 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. A spokesman for Gov. 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. NORTH DIGHTON, Mass. 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. Most of the allegations against Magram were first disclosed in a Times report in June. Sikora did not respond to requests for comment Friday. Investigators only talked to three other people the first time around and came up empty. 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. FRESNO, Calif. The head of the California Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, was relieved of command and replaced by Brig. An internal inquiry also determined that Sikora improperly excoriated a retired pilot for speaking to The Times, the report said. But fellow officers are questioning the investigations, complaining about retaliation for their contributions and a potential cover-up. This website is managed by the Public Affairs Office. Club One Casino Readies Move to Granite Park, Fresno Scandal Forces Out Air National Guard Commander, Fresno State Announces Class of 2023 Graduate Deans' Medalists. Please enter valid email address to continue. It just took her a long time to decide what she wanted, a lot of comparison shopping amongst products.. 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. In 2020, in response to another Times report, Newsoms office denounced the Guards decision to send a military spy plane to suburban El Dorado Hills, where Baldwin lived, to help civilian authorities monitor demonstrations over the police killing of George Floyd. Stunning 4K videos show F-117s operating in California more than a decade after the stealth jet retired. "If there was a smoking gun, they took it and threw it right in the river," said Maj. Woodside. A Guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. At least five guard members from the 144th wing filed formal complaints. He said the same about his decision to fire Maj. Gen. Gregory Jones, commander of the air wing of the Guard. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. 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. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Northern California town on edge after second fatal stabbing in a week, Sheriffs Department investigates memo alleging captain wouldnt promote angry Black sergeant, CEO of Cookies pot brand accused of kickbacks, strong-arm tactics, Californias top military brass rocked by homophobia, antisemitism, indecent exposure scandals, What you need to know about the scandals at the California National Guard. The jets made a pass over a crowd of National Guard members and civilians who had assembled in front of the 144th Fighter Wing's maintenance hangar on the Fresno Air National Guard Base. However, in 2021, Baldwin suspended him with pay and reassigned him after a Times report that Guard members were concerned that their leaders had readied an F-15C fighter jet for a possible mission in which the aircraft would fly low over civilian protesters to frighten and disperse them. The Times reported last year that an internal inquiry substantiated allegations that Brig. A Guard member who took Magrams mother shopping was quoted in the report as saying that she was particular. Troy Havener, 144th Fighter Wing commander, said, "We have the distinct honor of being the . 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. Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times 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. Public File for KMAX-TV / Good Day Sacramento. The commander of the 144th Fighter Wing at the Fresno base was also removed. News, Appetite for Fresno The familiarization flights give NATO service members an opportunity to ride in Soviet or Russian-built aircraft, like the Su-27UB fighter jet. Lt. Col. Seth "Jethro" Nehring, 44, was killed while taking part in a familiarization flight in a Russian-built Su-27UB fighter jet with a Ukrainian counterpart. You must meet certain enlistment criteria to qualify for the Air National Guard. Latest Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. Chris Drudge) Valley Weather Rollercoaster: Mid-90s Now, Upper 60s Next Week, Adventure in Spices? 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. 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. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Keegan said the department had lost faith, trust and confidence in Garrison's ability to lead. Members of the 144th's security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. An F-15C air-to-air combat jet was placed on alert in case of unrest over the pandemic or election, sources and records say. Captain Nehring is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with California Air National Guard's 194th Fighter Squadron in Fresno. Baldwin later removed the commander of the Guard's air side, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison. Brig. Investigators reached no conclusions that time around either. Captain Nehring is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with California Air National Guard's 194th Fighter Squadron in Fresno. Gen. Jeffrey Magram will be involuntarily transferred next week to the U.S. Air Force retired reserve, an action that is parallel to a firing, California National Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Brandon Hill said Friday. The exercise is a joint and multinational exercise that will involve approximately 950 personnel from nine nations. The Fresno Air National Guard base is home to the 144th . "They're scared to speak up so I'm speaking for them," said Maj. Dan Woodside. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. Hawkins received a letter of reprimand as a result, the Guard said. Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. The evidence included Pineda's boots and a vial of urine collected from the bathroom floor that was never tested for DNA. 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. Latest, Latest Gen. Gregory F. Jones, who has served as an assistant adjutant general in the Guard since December 2017, was appointed to replace Garrison. Magram had generally confirmed the members accounts of running errands for him, according to the report. He said he believed the allegations were lodged by someone who overheard and misconstrued a conversation he had with a chaplain. Local (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. 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. Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, Times investigation two months ago that detailed the whistleblower allegations, Who urinated in her boots? Sgt. 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. 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. / CBS Sacramento. Magram attained the rank of assistant adjutant general and had been part of Baldwins inner circle. 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. 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. Published Nov. 8, 2022. Garrison and Kelly did not respond to interview requests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. 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. 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. Gen. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. The Guard denies it. At least five guard members from the 144th wing filed formal complaints. FILE - In this April 12, 2006, file photo, then US Air Force Lt. Col. Clay "Slam" Garrison, Weapons Officer assigned with the 144th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard, explains the units area of coverage on a map of California in Fresno, Calif. Local Sports. 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. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 144th Fighter Wing taking to the skies for night-flight . He also recommended close monitoring of any unfavorable personnel actions against complainants or witnesses in the 144th as possible reprisal. The California National Guard has been buffeted by allegations of misconduct in its upper ranks, coverups and retaliation against whistleblowers. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Entertainment One of the jets was a single-engine F-16C Fighting . 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. They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. Sikora's briefing came after The Times began asking questions about alleged retaliation against whistleblowers and the incident in which Staff Sgt. Mission [ edit] (559) 454-5286 Nehring began his career as an enlisted crew chief before being selected as a pilot. The command change follows aLos Angeles Timesreport on allegations that whistleblowers at the guard's Fresno base suffered reprisals for questioning actions or conduct, including an incident in which a female guard member discovered urine in her boots. At least five Guard members from the 144th wing, including a pilot who was killed in October in a crash during a training mission in Ukraine, filed formal complaints. 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. Keegan said Friday he did not know the status of the probe. 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.. The vast majority of you are good people who are killing it in a high ops tempo year, you're very honorable, red-blooded Americans, Sikora said at the meeting, according to the report. Jennifer Pineda found that someone at the Fresno base had urinated in the boots she had left in a bathroom overnight. (559) 453-5461 The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. A 144th pilot, Lt. Col. 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. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. The papers inquiries began with reports that someone urinated in a female Guard members boots, an incident that led to allegations of a cover-up and retaliation against whistleblowers. 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. The commander of the fighter squadron at the time, Col. Sean Navin, was one of the drinkers. Will Political Reality Shape a Mighty Morro Bay Wind? The document also cites the cybersecurity episode as grounds for dismissing him, stating that he let a subordinate click through the training questions and obtain a certificate of completion for you., The memo further recounts that a 2021 survey of Guard members found that they experienced significant issues with unit cohesion, good order, and military discipline because of [Magrams] conduct.. Pissgate was just one example, Woodside said. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Now Eric Bischoff to Tell Story in Fresno. Gavin Newsoms office and Baldwins successor, Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, the Guards acting adjutant general. The Air Force says that Nehring has been a member of the 144th for more than 20 years. The vast majority means all of you, except for a couple of you, and they know who they are so we don't need to call them out. At least five Guard members from the 144th Fighter Wing filed formal complaints. Paul Pringle is a Los Angeles Times reporter who specializes in investigating corruption. Weeks later, the longtime head of the Guard, Maj . 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. How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! 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. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. What Dyer Had to Say. Disgusting discovery, accusations of cover-up at Fresno's 144th Fighter Wing. 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. Gavin Newsom referred questions about Friday's shakeup back to the Guard. FRESNO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif --. California Governor Jerry Brown and the First Lady also extended their deepest condolences to Nehring's family and friends. 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. By Staff Sgt. When I say particular, it had to be at Whole Foods. Brig. It's all part of. 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. Members of the 144ths security forces conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. The two-seat Su-27UB went down on Tuesday in western Ukraine. 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. Consent from a parent or She wanted the DNA test to clear her name. 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 . 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. I want to reiterate that had I ever heard of any ethics issues like this from subordinates, peers or commanders, or perceptions of such, I would have corrected or addressed it on the spot, Magram said in a statement to an inspector general. Friday's report said that Sikora's conduct also had a chilling effect on Guard members by discouraging them from exercising their rights to seek redress through the organization's inspector general, their representatives in Congress or the news media. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. 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 . Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. 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 on Friday, April 5, 2019, confirmed the shakeup, but did not have additional details. Swertfager could not be reached for comment. Latest Gen. Gregory Jones two months after a newspaper. It's unfortunate that the young people in the California Air National Guard, our citizen soldiers, have to witness this type of activity that's occurring at the top, Bakos said Friday. Garrison ran the base at the time of the incident. The commander of the 144th Fighter Wing at the Fresno base was also removed. The speech was clearly directed at me and a few other people that have pursued justice through the IG.. Except When Its Not. The following year, officers at the 144th destroyed the evidence collected from the crime scene, saying it was old and no longer needed. But at least five of its Air National Guard members have filed internal complaints about a nasty incident and other concerns. Local Public Affairs Office: Voting Is Fast and Easy on Recall Day. 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 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). 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. First published on April 5, 2019 / 7:29 PM. Three days later, the report said, he called a mandatory meeting of his subordinates to discuss his suspension. Members of the 144ths security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. 2019 the Los Angeles Times. The retirement of Maj. Gen. David Baldwin comes weeks after a Times investigation detailed alleged misconduct among high-ranking officers. 2019 the Los Angeles Times. 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. These criteria ensure that those who join have the right mental, physical and moral aptitudes to perform the tasks required for military service. Off the Bottom Rope ), 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. Administrators at the Fighter Wing didn't respond to our request for comment, but after the L.A. Times started asking about the Pineda episode, the California Military Department asked the U.S. Air Force Inspector General's Office to conduct a third investigation. In interviews with The Times, several current and former members of the Guard have described a climate of retaliation by high-ranking officers and mistrust in the organization's inspector general system intended to hold them accountable. 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. The Air National Guard is a reserve component of the United State Air Force. Garrison's only guidance, Johnston wrote, was that he first confer with the 144th's judge advocate general at the time. They deserve better., He said the Guard now has an opportunity to get a fresh start with new leadership.. Navin denied any involvement, according to Guard records. Our traditional members serve one weekend each month and about two weeks each year, with opportunities for full-time employment. Published Apr 7, 2019 3:26 PM EDT. Jennifer Pineda found out someone urinated in her uniform boots. 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. News, Latest Gen. Tim Rieger, who was tasked by Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, head of the California Military Department, with investigating Sikora's actions. It said Sikora used insulting and defamatory language in remarks to subordinates. In early 2019, a Times report disclosed internal complaints of reprisals against whistleblowers and allegations of a cover-up of misconduct among the Guard leadership. 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. 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. ID cardquestions and appointments: Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times Must be between the age of 17 and 40. Lt. Col. Nehring and a Ukrainian service member were killed when the Ukrainian Su-27UB aircraft they were in crashed during a familiarization flight. Some in the wing refer to the scandal as Pissgate., The saga dates to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. A mystery at a California military base led to claims of a cover-up. 144th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. Two of those were related to the urine incident, including one filed by Pineda. They didn't identify any suspects and eventually got rid of the urine without ever testing it for DNA. 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. Contact the Public Affairs Office at: 144FW.HQ.PublicAffairs@us.af.mil, Directory: The report was prepared by Brig. 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. 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. 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. At least five guard members from the 144th wing filed formal complaints. Among the other disclosures by The Times were the Guards use of a spy plane to monitor civilian protesters and fears in the ranks that it planned to deploy a fighter jet to frighten demonstrators. 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. Baldwin later removed the commander of the Guards air side, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison. Nehring was a fighter pilot with the California Air National Guard's 194th Fighter Squadron, part of the 144th Fighter Wing based at the Fresno Air National Guard Base, located on the southeast corner of Fresno-Yosemite International Airport. 4/23 update:The LA Times has dug into the California Air National Guard scandal. The 144th Fighter Wing (144 FW) is a unit of the California Air National Guard, stationed at Fresno Air National Guard Base, California. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. Gov. Col. Jeremiah Cruz was named Kelly's interim replacement. They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. She said in her complaint she feared she'd be forced out of the military because some had speculated that she urinated in her own boots for attention.. Recruiters: 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, By
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