Airman & Family Readiness Office: The first of three investigations launched right after Staff Sgt. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. 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. Investigators only talked to three other people the first time around and came up empty. 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. Latest, Latest 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. Sikora's briefing came after The Times began asking questions about alleged retaliation against whistleblowers and the incident in which Staff Sgt. The commander of the 144th Fighter Wing at the Fresno base was also removed. 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. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. Disgusting discovery, accusations of cover-up at Fresno's 144th Fighter Wing. The Air Force initially issued a letter of admonishment to Magram as a result of the first inspector general investigation. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. 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Reached by phone Friday, Pineda said, At this time, I don't have a comment.. Consent from a parent or The first of three. We share in the sorrow felt by Jethro's loved ones and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as well as those of the Ukrainian aviator.". 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. 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 Force Col. Garrison's only guidance, Johnston wrote, was that he first confer with the 144th's judge advocate general at the time. Rob Swertfager, also filed a complaint alleging that commanders punished him including by withholding his pay on occasion for going to bat for Pineda. 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. 2019 the Los Angeles Times. Woodside retired from the unit in 2016, so he talked freely with Action News about the investigations into someone urinating in Pineda's uniform. Garrison and Kelly did not respond to interview requests. The familiarization flight was part of a joint military training exercise called Clear Sky 2018, which kicked off last week. 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. News, Joe Mathews Valley Weather Rollercoaster: Mid-90s Now, Upper 60s Next Week, Adventure in Spices? California National Guard members watch over an access point to the Capitol in Sacramento. California Governor Jerry Brown and the First Lady also extended their deepest condolences to Nehring's family and friends. Now the California Air National Guard faces coverup allegations. 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. 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. Entertainment Weather, Education 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. 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. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. 144th Fighter Wing taking to the skies for night-flight . 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. 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. Magram had generally confirmed the members accounts of running errands for him, according to the report. 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. 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 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. 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. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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 Guard member who took Magrams mother shopping was quoted in the report as saying that she was particular. 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. Woodside says it should've been handled differently from the start, especially since people in command positions might've been involved. 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. When it comes to protecting U.S. Air Force's military assets, the responsibility falls on the Security Forces Defenders. Members of the 144th's security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. 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. Gen. This website is managed by the Public Affairs Office. Weeks later, the longtime head of the Guard, Maj . Published Apr 15, 2019 10:00 AM EDT. Gen. Tim Rieger, who was tasked by Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, head of the California Military Department, with investigating Sikora's actions. 4/23 update:The LA Times has dug into the California Air National Guard scandal. 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. But everybody else.. Except When Its Not. 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. Latest Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. 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. Three days later, the report said, he called a mandatory meeting of his subordinates to discuss his suspension. 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 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. Two of those were related to the urine incident, including one filed by Pineda. ID cardquestions and appointments: A 144th pilot, Lt. Col. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. To find out about jobs in the Air National Guard check out: https://www.goang.com/ Public Affairs This website is managed by the Public Affairs Office. 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. Captain Nehring is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with California Air National Guard's 194th Fighter Squadron in Fresno. The California Air National Guard says its top commander, Major General Clay Garrison, has been relieved of command and will be replaced by Brigadier General Gregory Jones. That culminated in his firing. 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. 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. 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. See Why Customers Flocked to Fresno Cannabis Store on Day 1. General requirements include: AGE. Members of the 144ths security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing this? Now Eric Bischoff to Tell Story in Fresno. Gen. Gregory Jones two months after a newspaper detailed the fallout from a scandal involving someone urinating in the boots of a service member. Our traditional members serve one weekend each month and about two weeks each year, with opportunities for full-time employment. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. Clear Sky brings together more than 950 personnel from Ukraine and eight NATO nations. Magram said in his statement that he was late in completing the training because of a tremendously busy operational tempo.. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. Beevers and Newsom did not respond to requests for comment made through spokespersons. Gen. Jones will be able to lead the organization effectively and with the utmost integrity.. 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. 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. 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. The urine incident and its aftermath fueled suspicions that high-ranking officers, including Garrison, mishandled two investigations to find the perpetrator and tried to bury the episode to protect someone who may have been involved, according to interviews and Guard records obtained by The Times. 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. 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. Hawkins received a letter of reprimand as a result, the Guard said. Local She also signed off on the request to discard the evidence. The report was prepared by Brig. Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, Times investigation two months ago that detailed the whistleblower allegations, Who urinated in her boots? 144th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. Forensic analysts say urine can be tested for DNA, but it degrades faster than other tissue and bodily fluids. 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. 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. 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 Guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. Keegan said Garrison will retire in the coming weeks. ", By Legendary Valley Thoroughbred Elected to Racing Hall of Fame, Collision Ends Smyly Perfect Game Bid, Cubs Top Dodgers 13-0, Oakland As Set Vegas Move in Motion With Stadium Land Deal, Draymond Greens Suspension Is the Talk of the NBA Playoffs, California NORTH DIGHTON, Mass. Keegan said the department had lost faith, trust and confidence in Garrison's ability to lead. Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, California Air National Guard commander, addresses service members from participating countries during the opening ceremony for Clear Sky 2018 exercise at Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine, Oct. 8, 2018. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. As part of the Air Reserve Component of the United States Air Force, the wing is operationally gained by the Air Combat Command . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The 194th is equipped with the F-15 Eagle and like its parent wing, the 144th Griffins, is operationally-gained within the active U.S. Air Force by the Air Combat Command (ACC). A third high-ranking officer in the California Air National Guard has been removed from his position because of complaints he made whistleblowers feel threatened at the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno. 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. 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