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." Rob Swertfager, also filed a complaint alleging that commanders punished him including by withholding his pay on occasion for speaking up for Pineda. 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.. Overview. FRESNO, Calif. The head of the California Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, was relieved of command and replaced by Brig. 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. 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. Reached by phone Friday, Pineda said, At this time, I don't have a comment.. 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. Local Why is Frank McCourt really pushing this? By Staff Sgt. They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. The commander of the fighter squadron at the time, Col. Sean Navin, was one of the drinkers. Chris Drudge), U.S. airman killed in training exercise in Ukraine confirmed from 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno. It just took her a long time to decide what she wanted, a lot of comparison shopping amongst products.. In a memorandum to Magram that The Times obtained this week, Beevers wrote, Your conduct has caused me to lose faith, trust, and confidence in your ability to continue serving.. 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. 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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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. 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. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An airman from Fresno, killed in a crash of a fighter jet in Ukraine, has been identified as Lt. Col. Seth "Jethro" Nehring. 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. 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. Magram became the focus of more upheaval last summer, when The Times disclosed that an internal probe found that he had on-duty Guard members drive him up to 120 miles round-trip to personal dental and medical appointments at Travis Air Force Base, according to a confidential report on the inquiry. The Air Force says that Nehring has been a member of the 144th for more than 20 years. Opinion, California 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. 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. 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. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Several Guard members took Sikora's remarks as a criticism of people who had filed complaints with the inspector general. 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 144th is renowned for its F-15 pilots working to protect California and the country. Magram said in his statement that he was late in completing the training because of a tremendously busy operational tempo.. 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. Garrison and Kelly did not respond to interview requests. Local A 144th pilot, Lt. Col. Col. Jeremiah Cruz was named Kelly's interim replacement. Members of the 144th's security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. Woodside says the IG system isn't working right now, though, because investigators aren't acting independently of wing commanders. 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. 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. As part of the Air Reserve Component of the United States Air Force, the wing is operationally gained by the Air Combat Command . Magram had generally confirmed the members accounts of running errands for him, according to the report. Mission [ edit] "If there was a smoking gun, they took it and threw it right in the river," said Maj. Woodside. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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. Published Apr 7, 2019 3:26 PM EDT. (559) 454-5383 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. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The skies above Super Bowl LVI were safe Sunday thanks to tactical fighter aircraft based in Fresno. Weeks later, the longtime head of the Guard, Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, retired. (559) 453-5461 The Air National Guard is a reserve component of the United State Air Force. Gen. Jones will be able to lead the organization effectively and with the utmost integrity.. One of the jets was a single-engine F-16C Fighting . Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. Troy Havener, 144th Fighter Wing commander, said, "We have the distinct honor of being the . A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. "They're scared to speak up so I'm speaking for them," said Maj. Dan Woodside. FRESNO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, CA -- The 144th Fighter Wing welcomed the arrival of two F-117 Nighthawk aircraft Sept 13, 2021 to the Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, to conduct dissimilar air combat training missions. 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. All Rights Reserved. Forensic analysts say urine can be tested for DNA, but it degrades faster than other tissue and bodily fluids. Jones was unavailable for comment, Keegan said. 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. 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. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. The Guard denies it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. This website is managed by the Public Affairs Office. Except When Its Not. 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. 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. 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. Local Education The commander of the 144th Fighter Wing at the Fresno base was also removed. 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. The two-seat Su-27UB went down on Tuesday in western Ukraine. 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. 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. Keegan said the department had lost faith, trust and confidence in Garrison's ability to lead. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. 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. Nehring and a Ukrainian service member were killed when the Ukrainian Su-27UB aircraft they were in crashed during a familiarization flight. The retirement of Maj. Gen. David Baldwin comes weeks after a Times investigation detailed alleged misconduct among high-ranking officers. 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. 144th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. In a statement Friday, Keegan said, The Guard is committed to providing a transparent, respectful and positive command climate. I am confident that Brig. A member of the Judge Advocate General Corps, Maj . 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. 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. Airman & Family Readiness Office: Gen. Gregory Jones two months after a newspaper. News, Appetite for Fresno Baldwin has been adjutant general of the Guard since 2011, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Baldwin later removed the commander of the Guards air side, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison. 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. Brig. 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. 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. Members of the 144ths security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. NORTH DIGHTON, Mass. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. Sikora was suspended as the wing's Operations Group leader in December. At least five Guard members from the 144th Fighter Wing filed formal complaints. 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. 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. You must meet certain enlistment criteria to qualify for the Air National Guard. (559) 454-5274 She wanted the DNA test to clear her name. The California National Guard has been buffeted by allegations of misconduct in its upper ranks, coverups and retaliation against whistleblowers. 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. | A 144th pilot, Lt. Col. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. "This is a problem with their leadership.". The evidence included Pineda's boots and a vial of urine collected from the bathroom floor that was never tested for DNA. The first of three. All Rights Reserved. The 144th Fighter Wing (144 FW) is a unit of the California Air National Guard, stationed at Fresno Air National Guard Base, California. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. Jones began his career as a jet engine mechanic in the Nevada Air National Guard. Stunning 4K videos show F-117s operating in California more than a decade after the stealth jet retired. He said he believed the allegations were lodged by someone who overheard and misconstrued a conversation he had with a chaplain. The Fresno Air National Guard base is home to the 144th . (559) 515-6008 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. California National Guard members watch over an access point to the Capitol in Sacramento. Swertfager could not be reached for comment. 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. News 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. Since early 2019, The Times has investigated a wide range of alleged misconduct by high-ranking officials of the California National Guard. 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. Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? News, Latest 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. 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. They deserve better., He said the Guard now has an opportunity to get a fresh start with new leadership.. 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 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. Both of them, along with others, felt targeted by Sikora's remarks, the report said. 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. Recruiters: He also recommended close monitoring of any unfavorable personnel actions against complainants or witnesses in the 144th as possible reprisal. The following year, officers at the 144th destroyed the evidence collected from the crime scene, saying it was old and no longer needed. 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. Paul Pringle is a Los Angeles Times reporter who specializes in investigating corruption. 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. Hawkins told The Times that those allegations are largely untrue and specifically denied making the statement about terrorist attacks. 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. A spokesman for Gov. 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. 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. "This is not a problem with the rank and file, the rank and file pilots or the great people that do their job out there every day," he said. ID cardquestions and appointments: They didn't identify any suspects and eventually got rid of the urine without ever testing it for DNA. Charles Vaughn). A mystery at a California military base led to claims of a cover-up. 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. An F-117 Nighthawks at the Fresno Air National Guard Base in California, September 15, 2021 . 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. Three days later, the report said, he called a mandatory meeting of his subordinates to discuss his suspension. The head of the California Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, was relieved of his command and replaced by Brig. 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. 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. 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. 2019 the Los Angeles Times. The U.S. and Ukrainian governments are investigating to determine the cause of the accident. He said the same about his decision to fire Maj. Gen. Gregory Jones, commander of the air wing of the Guard. John Oliver's Parody Book Among Most 'Challenged' Works, Newsom Says His El Salvador Trip a Counter to Trump, Hear Mayor, Councilmembers Share Vision for $20 Million Senior Center on Blackstone. 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. Mercedes Taylor. 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! Oops! Dont Put Plastic Bags in That Blue Recycling Cart! Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, urinated in a female Guard members boots, use of a spy plane to monitor civilian protesters, deploy a fighter jet to frighten demonstrators, The commander of the scandal-plagued California National Guard steps down, Californias top military brass rocked by homophobia, antisemitism, indecent exposure scandals, Turmoil shakes California National Guard with firing, suspension of top generals, California Guard members feared fighter jet would be ordered to frighten protesters, Spy plane was sent to monitor protest in affluent suburb, home to head of California National Guard, In California National Guard, whistleblower claims of retaliation go beyond Fresno, Head of California Air National Guard removed amid allegations of cover-up and retaliation, California Air National Guard removes commander over threats against whistleblowers, Must Reads: Someone urinated in a female sergeants boots. 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. 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. Jennifer Pineda found that someone at the Fresno base had urinated in the boots she had left in a bathroom overnight. 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. (559) 454-5286 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 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. / CBS Sacramento. Published Apr 15, 2019 10:00 AM EDT. Members of the 144ths security forces conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. Please enter valid email address to continue. In a report released after the ousters of Garrison and Col. Dan Kelly, the commander of the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno, the Military Department inspector general cited findings of a Times investigation two months ago that detailed the whistleblower allegations. 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.

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