Now the California Air National Guard faces coverup allegations. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Local What Dyer Had to Say. Then something changed, Most of Yosemite Valley is closed due to potentially perilous snowpack and flooding, 7 hospitalized after driver in stolen car runs red light in San Bernardino, police say, Barstow police investigating after officer caught on video hitting man with a baton, Man found guilty of murdering teens who ding-dong-ditched his house, Sacramento, San Francisco mayors take shots at each others city before NBA playoff game, Unseasonable rain, cooler temperatures in forecast for Los Angeles this week. Garrison did not act alone in this. 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.. 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 . Here's what we know. The following year, officers at the 144th destroyed the evidence collected from the crime scene, saying it was old and no longer needed. The retirement of Maj. Gen. David Baldwin comes weeks after a Times investigation detailed alleged misconduct among high-ranking officers. (559) 453-5461 Airman & Family Readiness Office: Weeks later, the longtime head of the Guard, Maj . 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. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. 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. 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. Contact the Public Affairs Office at: 144FW.HQ.PublicAffairs@us.af.mil, Directory: The Air National Guard is a reserve component of the United State Air Force. He says new rules instituted in 2016 might make the incident a more serious crime, which would've brought in more seasoned investigators. At least five guard members from the 144th wing filed formal complaints. Oops! Dont Put Plastic Bags in That Blue Recycling Cart! Lt. Col. Seth "Jethro" Nehring stands in front of a Ukrainian Su-27UB aircraft parked at the Starokostiantyniv air base in the Khmelnytskyi region of western Ukraine. 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. 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. (559) 454-5100 Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. Captain Nehring is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with California Air National Guard's 194th Fighter Squadron in Fresno. The inquiry also determined that Magram failed to complete his annual cybersecurity training and thus had lower-ranking Guard members each day request that headquarters temporarily restore his computer access. Dave Bakos, a retired general who served in the Guard for 32 years and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, was among those who said Garrison should have demanded a more thorough investigation from the start. 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. Voting Is Fast and Easy on Recall Day. Keegan said Friday he did not know the status of the probe. By Staff 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. But everybody else.. Hawkins received a letter of reprimand as a result, the Guard said. Pissgate was just one example, Woodside said. Brig. 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. 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. 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. 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. Except When Its Not. 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 complaints focused on the Guard's Fresno air base and included an incident in which someone urinated in a female Guard member's boots. He said he believed the allegations were lodged by someone who overheard and misconstrued a conversation he had with a chaplain. The commander of the 144th Fighter Wing at the Fresno base was also removed. Some in the wing refer to the scandal as Pissgate., The saga dates to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. 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. Last week, Maj. Gen. Clay L. Garrison and Col. Dan Kelly were removed in the wake of a Times investigation that detailed the whistleblower complaints and allegations that officers covered up an incident in which someone urinated in a female Guard member's boots. The 144th is renowned for its F-15 pilots working to protect California and the country. Baldwin denied that the jet had been prepared for such a deployment and said the move against Magram had nothing to do with the report. Published Apr 7, 2019 3:26 PM EDT. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. 2019 the Los Angeles Times. Pineda filed a whistleblower complaint, in which she wrote that she feared she would be forced out of the military because some had speculated that she urinated in her own boots for attention. She wanted the DNA test to clear her name. Baldwin has been adjutant general of the Guard since 2011, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Pineda filed a whistleblower complaint, in which she wrote that she feared she would be forced out of the military because some had speculated that she urinated in her own boots for attention. She wanted the DNA test to clear her name. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. In an email to The Times, Hill said an internal disciplinary board substantiated the allegations against Magram, and the general was removed for cause. The boards action came after two separate inquiries into Magrams conduct by military inspectors general; directives to dismiss him were issued by Gov. They didn't identify any suspects and eventually got rid of the urine without ever testing it for DNA. 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. The Fresno Air National Guard Base in California is home to the 144th Fighter Wing. Gavin Newsom referred questions about Friday's shakeup back to the Guard. A member of the Judge Advocate General Corps, Maj . The Air Force says that Nehring has been a member of the 144th for more than 20 years. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. A spokesman for Gov. When I say particular, it had to be at Whole Foods. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. See Why Customers Flocked to Fresno Cannabis Store on Day 1. 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. Garrison ran the base at the time of the incident. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Public Affairs Office: Sikora was suspended as the wing's Operations Group leader in December. The Fresno Air National Guard base is home to the 144th . Two of those were related to the urine incident, including one filed by Pineda. 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. Rob Swertfager, also filed a complaint alleging that commanders punished him including by withholding his pay on occasion for going to bat for Pineda. Pineda declined to comment. In a statement Friday, Keegan said, The Guard is committed to providing a transparent, respectful and positive command climate. I am confident that Brig. Woodside says it should've been handled differently from the start, especially since people in command positions might've been involved. Gen. (559) 515-6008 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. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. 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. FRESNO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif --. 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. 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. Investigators only talked to three other people the first time around and came up empty. Since early 2019, The Times has investigated a wide range of alleged misconduct by high-ranking officials of the California National Guard. News, Latest Latest, Latest General requirements include: AGE. 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. U.S. Air Force Col. 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,. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. When it comes to protecting U.S. Air Force's military assets, the responsibility falls on the Security Forces Defenders. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. 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. 144th Fighter Wing taking to the skies for night-flight . The Air Force initially issued a letter of admonishment to Magram as a result of the first inspector general investigation. Local Education An F-117 Nighthawks at the Fresno Air National Guard Base in California, September 15, 2021 . "This is a problem with their leadership.". Valley Weather Rollercoaster: Mid-90s Now, Upper 60s Next Week, Adventure in Spices? 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. Sports. Maj. Gen. Clay L. Garrison, the top commander of the 4,700-member air guard, was dismissed for being unable to maintain a positive command climate, said Lt. Col. Thomas Keegan, spokesman for the California Military Department. 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 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. 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. The report was prepared by Brig. Magram, who was once director of the Guards air staff, is the fifth general to resign, retire or be fired in the wake of scandals exposed by Times investigations of the organization over the last four years. Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? Garrison and Kelly did not respond to interview requests. Mercedes Taylor. 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. Published Nov. 8, 2022. A 144th pilot, Lt. Col. You must meet certain enlistment criteria to qualify for the Air National Guard. 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. Gen. Jones will be able to lead the organization effectively and with the utmost integrity.. ", By (559) 454-5274 ), 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. 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. 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. Jones was unavailable for comment, Keegan said. 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. At least one person recorded the briefing, where Sikora said anyone filing complaints was causing problems for the wing, according to the report. Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, Times investigation two months ago that detailed the whistleblower allegations, Who urinated in her boots? She also signed off on the request to discard the evidence. 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. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. A Guard member who took Magrams mother shopping was quoted in the report as saying that she was particular. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. California Governor Jerry Brown and the First Lady also extended their deepest condolences to Nehring's family and friends. 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. Our traditional members serve one weekend each month and about two weeks each year, with opportunities for full-time employment. They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. An internal inquiry also determined that Sikora improperly excoriated a retired pilot for speaking to The Times, the report said. Members of the 144th's security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. 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. 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. 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. 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. Baldwin later removed the commander of the Guard's air side, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison. 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. Gavin Newsoms office and Baldwins successor, Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, the Guards acting adjutant general. 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. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. Members of the 144ths security forces conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. 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). 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. Kelly's future in the Guard has yet to be determined, Keegan said. Members of the 144th's security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations into the Pineda incident, according to internal investigative records obtained by The Times. 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. Phone: (559) 454-5246 Three days later, the report said, he called a mandatory meeting of his subordinates to discuss his suspension. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. Overview. 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. Gen. Gregory Jones two months after a newspaper detailed the fallout from a scandal involving someone urinating in the boots of a service member. He also recommended close monitoring of any unfavorable personnel actions against complainants or witnesses in the 144th as possible reprisal. 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. Members of the Guard described a "climate of retaliationand mistrust. Gov. He Toppled Vince McMahon. Will Political Reality Shape a Mighty Morro Bay Wind? Clear Sky brings together more than 950 personnel from Ukraine and eight NATO nations. Latest Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. 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. 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. Woodside retired from the unit in 2016, so he talked freely with Action News about the investigations into someone urinating in Pineda's uniform. In California, he held various positions at the 146th Airlift Wing at Port Hueneme before heading the 129th Rescue Wing in the Mountain View area. 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. Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Swertfager could not be reached for comment. 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. One of the jets was a single-engine F-16C Fighting . Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. It all happened under his watchful eye, but he was not alone in allowing this to happen.. 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. Weather, Education Jerry Brown. Sikora did not respond to requests for comment Friday. A guard spokesman on Friday, April 5, 2019, confirmed the shakeup, but did not have additional details. At least five guard members from the 144th wing filed formal complaints. 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. Magram had generally confirmed the members accounts of running errands for him, according to the report. Sikora's briefing came after The Times began asking questions about alleged retaliation against whistleblowers and the incident in which Staff Sgt. 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.. Woodside says the IG system isn't working right now, though, because investigators aren't acting independently of wing commanders. Col. Victor Sikora was relieved of command after engaging in conduct unbecoming of an officer by addressing a gathering of Guard members in a manner some found intimidating and humiliating, according to a report released Friday. Director of Psychological Health:

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