The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. 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. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. 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 commander of the 144th Fighter Wing at the Fresno base was also removed. 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 commander of the fighter squadron at the time, Col. Sean Navin, was one of the drinkers. Some in the wing refer to the scandal as Pissgate., The saga dates to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. Contact the Public Affairs Office at: 144FW.HQ.PublicAffairs@us.af.mil, Directory: DSN 839-5246, Crash Survivors Meet Indiana Airmen Who Rescued Them, Joint, International Southern Strike 2023 Exercise Wraps Up, Alaska Guardsman Helps Keep Pave Hawks Flying, New AF surgeon general program enhances support for EFMP families, Airmen, Guardians, Air Force modernizes nuclear security with advanced JLTV vehicle, Effective June 1, First Term Airmen can retrain into AFSCs under 90% manning in lieu of separation, An official website of the United States government. 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. Air National Guard - ABC30 Fresno Rob Swertfager, also filed a complaint alleging that commanders punished him including by withholding his pay on occasion for speaking up for Pineda. Fresno Weather: Its a Dry Heat. Off the Bottom Rope The Guard reconnaissance aircraft flew over peaceful protests in the upscale community of El Dorado Hills, the location of Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwins home. Magram, who was once director of the Guard's 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. The California air guard is the second largest, after New York's, in the Air National Guard, which is a force of more than 100,000 pilots, other officers and enlisted people. Eastern District of California | Eight California National Guard 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. (559) 453-5461 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 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. At least five guard members from the 144th wing filed formal complaints. Published Apr 15, 2019 10:00 AM EDT. At least one person recorded the briefing, where Sikora said anyone filing complaints was causing problems for the wing, according to the report. Recruiters: 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. 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. Chris Drudge) Phone: (559) 454-5246 Hawkins received a letter of reprimand as a result, the Guard said. Beevers and Newsom did not respond to requests for comment made through spokespersons. 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. They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. A member of the Judge Advocate General Corps, Maj . 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Our traditional members serve one weekend each month and about two weeks each year, with opportunities for full-time employment. FRESNO, Calif. The head of the California Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, was relieved of command and replaced by Brig. News, Latest It all happened under his watchful eye, but he was not alone in allowing this to happen.. 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. 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. A guard spokesman on Friday, April 5, 2019, confirmed the shakeup, but 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. These criteria ensure that those who join have the right mental, physical and moral aptitudes to perform the tasks required for military service. Responding to a subsequent Times query, the Guard confirmed in June that Hawkins had resigned. Chris Drudge), U.S. airman killed in training exercise in Ukraine confirmed from 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno. Rob Swertfager, also filed a complaint alleging that commanders punished him including by withholding his pay on occasion for going to bat for Pineda. Woodside says it should've been handled differently from the start, especially since people in command positions might've been involved. Voting Is Fast and Easy on Recall Day. California National Guard members watch over an access point to the Capitol in Sacramento. Sikora was suspended as the wing's Operations Group leader in December. Gavin Newsoms office and Baldwins successor, Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, the Guards acting adjutant general. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Mercedes Taylor. This went on for about two weeks, until he had the training completed by a subordinate. 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. They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. The California National Guard has been buffeted by allegations of misconduct in its upper ranks, coverups and retaliation against whistleblowers. But at least five of its Air National Guard members have filed internal complaints about a nasty incident and other concerns. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. 144th Fighter Wing - AF 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. It is the first official organic story about the F-117's operations since the aircraft was retired in 2008: The 144th Fighter Wing welcomed the arrival of two F-117 Nighthawk aircraft Sept 13, 2021. 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. A spokesman for Gov. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. 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. 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 . 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. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. (559) 515-6008 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. 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. 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. ID cardquestions and appointments: Disgusting discovery, accusations of cover-up at Fresno's 144th Fighter Wing. 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 guardsman discovered urine in her boots. (559) 454-5383 The evidence included Pineda's boots and a vial of urine collected from the bathroom floor that was never tested for DNA. Navin denied any involvement, according to Guard records. Sikora did not respond to requests for comment Friday. Commander Out At California Air National Guard After Scandal 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. She also signed off on the request to discard the evidence. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. 144th Fighter Wing taking to the skies for night-flight . 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. Scandals taint highest ranks of National Guard - PressReader 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. 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. A six-barrel cannon can shoot enemy fighters out of the sky. Magram said in his statement that he was late in completing the training because of a tremendously busy operational tempo.. A Guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. Must be between the age of 17 and 40. 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. Members of the 144ths security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. Investigators only talked to three other people the first time around and came up empty. Both were inconclusive and the case was closed. 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. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The skies above Super Bowl LVI were safe Sunday thanks to tactical fighter aircraft based 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. Garrison ran the base at the time of the incident. 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 Guard pilots who step into an F-16 cockpit might risk their lives or carry in their hands the survival of others and the. 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 commander of the scandal-plagued California National Guard steps down 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. Gen. Tim Rieger, who was tasked by Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, head of the California Military Department, with investigating Sikora's actions. Latest Lt. Col. Nehring and a Ukrainian service member were killed when the Ukrainian Su-27UB aircraft they were in crashed during a familiarization flight. It's all part of. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. 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. California Air National Guard removes commander over threats against 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. 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. 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. They deserve better., He said the Guard now has an opportunity to get a fresh start with new leadership.. She wanted the DNA test to clear her name. 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. Paul Pringle is a Los Angeles Times reporter who specializes in investigating corruption. 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. Mission [ edit] F-15 Eagle, 'right aircraft for the mission - The National Guard Woodside retired from the unit in 2016, so he talked freely with Action News about the investigations into someone urinating in Pineda's uniform. Behold F-117s On Their Historic Deployment To Fresno In These Stunning The Air Force says that Nehring has been a member of the 144th for more than 20 years. When I say particular, it had to be at Whole Foods. That culminated in his firing. After queries by The Times, however, the Guard said a second inquiry had substantiated similar allegations against him, and another round of discipline was pending. All Rights Reserved. Baldwin has been adjutant general of the Guard since 2011, when he was appointed by then-Gov. 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. 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. 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. Gen. Gregory F. Jones, who has served as an assistant adjutant general in the Guard since December 2017, was appointed to replace Garrison. Jerry Brown. The exercise is a joint and multinational exercise that will involve approximately 950 personnel from nine nations. News, Appetite for Fresno Now the California Air National Guard faces coverup allegations. Local 144th FW signs Heritage jet > 144th Fighter Wing > Article Display 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. 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. Fresno-based fighter pilot killed in Ukraine identified as Lt. Col A 144th pilot, Lt. Col. Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, Times investigation two months ago that detailed the whistleblower allegations, Who urinated in her boots? 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. Members of the 144ths security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. News, Joe Mathews Two of those were related to the urine incident, including one filed by Pineda. 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. Woodside says the IG system isn't working right now, though, because investigators aren't acting independently of wing commanders. Magram attained the rank of assistant adjutant general and had been part of Baldwins inner circle. 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. FRESNO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif --. Fresno's 144th Fighter Wing hosting training exercise for pilots Inside the scandals at the California National Guard - Los Angeles Times 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. 2019 the Los Angeles Times. Gavin Newsom referred questions about Friday's shakeup back to the Guard. Public Affairs Office: The scandal dates back to March 2015, when 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.. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. Garrison did not act alone in this. National Guard scandals include sexual misconduct, coverups, reprisals 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. Stunning 4K videos show F-117s operating in California more than a decade after the stealth jet retired. 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 144th Fighter Wing at the Fresno base was also removed. He also recommended close monitoring of any unfavorable personnel actions against complainants or witnesses in the 144th as possible reprisal. Garrison and Kelly did not respond to interview requests. 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. Will Political Reality Shape a Mighty Morro Bay Wind? 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. Clear Sky brings together more than 950 personnel from Ukraine and eight NATO nations. (559) 454-5274 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. Pissgate was just one example, Woodside said. Overview. 144th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. A general is fired from the scandal-plagued California National Guard Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. 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. ", By General requirements include: AGE. Sports. Troy Havener, 144th Fighter Wing commander, said, "We have the distinct honor of being the . Jones was unavailable for comment, Keegan said. / CBS Sacramento. 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. 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. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 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. The U.S. and Ukrainian governments are investigating to determine the cause of the accident. 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. 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 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. 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. Hawkins told The Times that those allegations are largely untrue and specifically denied making the statement about terrorist attacks. 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. Local Keegan said Friday he did not know the status of the probe. He said he believed the allegations were lodged by someone who overheard and misconstrued a conversation he had with a chaplain. Garrison was the top commander of the air guard, and Kelly headed the 144th wing. 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. "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. 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.
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