(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. A female officer at Spangdahlem told investigators that in October 2018, Retka tried to sidestep her authority by saying he would solve a particular issue with another male officer, and said, We will talk about this as men later, over cigars and scotch.. He has also deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Noble Eagle. Lance Sijan, ejected from his disabled aircraft and was badly injured in North Vietnam. U.S. Air Force Col. Pete Bilodeau, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, salutes after his first flight in the Eifel as the wing commander July 14, 2014, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Roberson announced the appointment of Col. Lars R. Hubert, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, as interim wing commander until a replacement can assume full-time duties. fairport senior ball 2020 spangdahlem commander fired. As the wings director of staff, Lt. Col. Kennedy had been working directly for former wing Commander Col. Jason Bailey. The past year has been a busy one for the wing, which has been a part of U.S. European Commands efforts to reassure allies in eastern Europe in the wake of Russian aggression in Ukraine. Base officials said about 50 members of the 52nd Civil Engineering squadron and others from the wing filled and delivered over 1,800 sandbags to the surrounding communities. Then-Lt. Col. Anthony Retka, who was then commander of the 35th Fighter Squadron, boards an F-16 Fighting Falcon during the Max Thunder exercise at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea in 2012. [30], On 30 May 2014, the 480th FS deployed in support of 52nd OG Det 1 at ask for two weeks. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. David Epperson, 52nd Fighter Wing outgoing commander, renders his final salute to the 52nd FW during the wings change of command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The 480th TFS were the first squadron to shoot down a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 during the Vietnam War. Press J to jump to the feed. During his speech, Reed commended Spangdahlems Sabers for their leadership as Air Force innovators. He is headed to. As Saber Lead, Hauck now commands five groups, 23 squadrons and nine geographically separated units spread across five countries, with approximately 5,000 dedicated military and civilian personnel. Spangdahlem bringing back former vice wing commander Spangdahlem Wing commander relieved of command [4] The squadron was deployed to Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, on 5 February 1966 as part of the USAF buildup in Southeast Asia. The 52nd FWs main priorities are deterrence, agile combat employment, and integrated base defense. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes). Hauck assumed command of an F-16 wing dubbed Saber Nation, which is headquartered in rural Spangdahlem. The video includes song, dance, repeated references to genitalia, a big penis and testicles puppet, and is based around discomfort of the male genitalia while flying on missions and a particular brand of talcum powder that is a solution to those issues. Kennedy told investigators she was in shock and disbelief at what had just happened and felt numb, upset and uncomfortable. 2015 Distinguished Graduate, Master of Science degree, Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College, Pa. 1. He has covered stories for Stripes throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Afghanistan. Here is the Colonel's letter announcing her dismissal: I removed Capt. Spangdahlem wing commander relieved of duty | Stars and Stripes But his family has lived in the region for 400 years and he refuses to be driven away even. The release did not say when a full-time commander will be selected. The 480 FS assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany is the only United States Air Forces in Europe Air Forces Africa flying unit performing the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission. Lt. Col. Michael Driscoll, who was deputy commander under Retka, is now the groups acting commander. His retirement leaves the operations group without a permanent commander until June, when his official replacement will assume command. EC commander tours Ramstein, Spangdahlem I would like to get my voice back, Kennedy said. All Rights Reserved. 6. Exactly the way they like it. O'Malley, a highly accomplished fighter pilot, also oversees the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team that calls the base home, the same unit that Kotnik was relieved from. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. Leslie Hauck, 52nd Fighter Wing incoming commander, renders his first salute during the 52nd FW Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Spangdahlem Fire Department light up Fire Prevention Week Col. Steven Lamb, 52nd Mission Support Group commander, gives his first remarks during the 52nd MSG change of command ceremony, July 26, 2022, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. But some access roads were cut off by the water and landslides, base and local officials said. Air Force Col. Joseph D. McFall, left, presents the Legion of Merit to Col. Kelly S. Passmore, at a change of command ceremony on June 10, 2014, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The 480th Fighter Squadron (480th FS), nicknamed the "Warhawks", is an active United States Air Force unit operating the General Dynamics F-16CJ Fighting Falcon. (Leslie Keopka/Courtesy of the U.S. Air Force), Col. Joseph McFall (Courtesy U.S. Air Force). January 2003 July 2004, student, U.S. Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, 16th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. 7. Upon assuming command in July, Bilodeau shared his leadership style with the airmen who would serve under him. Ali Stewart) Spangdahlem Wing commander relieved of command : AirForce All Rights Reserved. "My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of Airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate.". Bilodeau, who was removed by Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, the commander of the 3rd Air Force, was not relieved for any misconduct or wrongdoing, according to USAFE. In late September, Jordana Kennedy said in a memo to reviewing authorities that Retka should not be retained on active duty, and should be removed from command and leave the service. from around the world. Spangdahlem is home of the 52d Fighter Wing, which maintains, deploys and employs Lockheed Martin Block 50 F-16CJ and Republic A/OA-10 aircraft and TPS-75 radar systems in support of NATO and the national defense directives. By the time Retka returned to Spangdahlem as a group commander, he was viewed by some as a bully who had a tendency to mock, disparage or undermine his subordinates. On Tuesday, Dec. 30, Bilodeau was relieved of command and Hubert, the wing vice commander, was again named interim commander. 480th Fighter Squadron - Wikipedia John Q. Public - Spangdahlem Wing Commander given the | Facebook About 30 Spangdahlem families displaced by deadly floods in Germany Jordana Kennedy provided a copy of the investigation report to Air Force Times, which corroborated the report provided by another source. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kotnik make mistakes, I want them to have the opportunity to learn from them without being under public scrutiny, and to continue to be a part of this great service. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. Leslie Hauck, 52nd Fighter Wing incoming commander, gives his first remarks during the 52nd FW Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Kennedy said she is satisfied with how the investigation proceeded. Roberson announced the appointment of Col. Lars R. Hubert, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, as interim wing commander until a replacement can assume full-time duties. I felt his pelvis, his privates, his everything into my backside, she told Air Force Times. If you were looking for passive leadership, then you chose the wrong person, Bilodeau said at the time. For example, the 52nd has increased rotational missions in Poland as part of EUCOMs push to bolster the military presence in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. I really hope that the Air Force can grow and move forward in a more positive environment. Air Force). Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets - 5 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Operations Officer at Minot AFB, - 5 Maintenance Squadron Commander at Minot AFB, - 379 Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Commander at Al Udeid AB. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Retka said he was also carrying a tall glass of beer in front of him, and told someone else that Kennedy may have felt the glass against her. Let's just hope Captain Kotnik is being treated with the same understanding as her commanding officer apparently was some 15 years ago. Maybe some will think the video is humorous and just a product of servicemen and women blowing off steam while stationed half a world away from home. Witnesses interviewed by OSI also described a history of unprofessional, sexist and misogynistic comments and inappropriate behavior on Retkas part, including an inappropriate comment after an anti-sexual harassment skit. 2023 Stars and Stripes. Wing commander relieved of post in Germany - airforcetimes.com John covers U.S. military activities across Europe and Africa. Spangdahlem refuels BTF bombers with VIPER kit for first time Jennifer reports on the U.S. military from Kaiserslautern, Germany, where she writes about the Air Force, Army and DODEA schools. USAF's First Female F-16 Demo Pilot Relieved of Command After Only Two [4], In April 1987, the 480th began receiving the General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, initially operating it in tandem with the F-4G. Im proud to serve with them, and Im inspired by them. August 1999 July 2001, Assistant Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 389th FS, Mt Home AFB, Idaho, 5. It was when Epperson saw his relief, Col. Leslie Hauck, doing the same thing that he knew the wing was in good hands, Epperson said at a change-of-command ceremony Thursday. Rating: command pilot Flight hours: more than 2,100, including 146 combat hours Aircraft flown: T-3, T-37, T-38, F-15E, F/A-18F, F-35A, and F-16, Distinguished Flying Cross with valor device, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. Courtesy of U.S. Air Force (), In a 52nd Fighter Wing tradition, outgoing acting wing commander Col. Lars Hubert, right, passes a saber to incoming wing commander Col. Peter Bilodeau at the wing's assumption of command ceremony at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Friday, July 11, 2014. U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Hokaj, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, gives a brief during the base Flight Commander's Leadership Course at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Dec. 1, 2020. All Rights Reserved. His most recent biography has been removed from the Spangdahlem Air Base website. In a written statement to OSI, Retka denied he inappropriately touched Kennedy and that any contact was incidental and not done with the intent to abuse, humiliate or degrade her or for his own gratification. Stars and Stripes reporter Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this report. [27], In April 2013, the 480th EFS deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, for six months to support Operation Enduring Freedom. [22] July 2004 August 2005, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 35th FS, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea. USAFE would not say which administrative action was taken against Retka, citing the Privacy Act. Wing commanders put on their star halfway through their two year stunt like clockwork from what I've witnessed. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations. The mission of the 52nd Fighter Wing is to deliver airpower options to deter and combat aggression. Making mistakes is a part of life. We have never seen such a disaster. [9] Post-Desert Storm, the squadron's F-4Gs were transferred over to the 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron leaving the 480th as a sole F-16 unit. June 2017 June 2018, Vice Commander, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah. So does he still get promoted in a couple weeks? Kotnik from her position as the commander of the Viper Demo team yesterday, because I lost confidence in her ability to lead the team. It's stupid and maybe funny in an immature way, and I mean real immature. As the 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, Roberson oversees 10 wings in Europe and one air expeditionary wing within USAFE. [20][21] They flew their first sortie on 21 March 2011, tasked with SEAD. [32] The pilot ejected safely. Units - Spangdahlem Air Base German town divided over US troop withdrawal - DW - 08/11/2020 His official bio, which you can read in full here, states his responsibilities as such: "He is responsible for the mission readiness of the wings aircraft, 17 wing staff agencies, stewardship of Shaw, and the health and welfare of 6,576 active duty Airmen and civilians and more than 8,000 family members. Sgt. Hauck will be taking command over the 52nd Fighter Wing, which has a total population of 5,000 Airmen and civilian personnel. [10] The reformed squadron retained the primary SEAD role of its previous incarnation. Spangdahlem wing commander relieved of duty | Stars and Stripes The commander of the 52d Fighter Wing is Colonel David J. Julazadeh. spangdahlem commander fired. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. David Epperson, 52nd Fighter Wing outgoing commander, makes his final remarks during the 52nd FW Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Witnesses also revealed that in 2004, while he was a captain deployed to Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, Retka engaged in a prank called steamrolling, barging naked into sleeping pilots dorm rooms and rolling over them in bed until they woke up. Where and When you Joined the AF: I enlisted in Buffalo, New York, in 1996. The 52nd FW commander oversees all five of the wings groups, who directly support the mission to provide strategic, theater and contract commercial air mobility capability for Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. The 52nd FW supports the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe with mission-ready personnel and systems providing expeditionary air power for suppression of enemy air defenses, counter air, air interdiction, and close-air support. Her husband told investigators that Retka approached the group directly behind his wife and stood crowded subway close to her, which he described as awkward. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. The change of command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit to a commanding officer. Thats why I knew Col. Hauck and the Hauck family are a perfect match, the perfect fit, not just for the Saber Nation, but for the Eifel community here.. He went on to partake in the most prestigious opportunities the USAF has to offer its pilots. The base authorized a four-hour delay Wednesday night for personnel coming to work the next day, after rainfall over 12 hours equaled the average for the entire month of July. January 2003 - July 2004, student, U.S. Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, 16th . October 2009 July 2011, Deputy Operations Group Commander, 33rd Operations Group, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. The FCLC is a course to help Company Grade Officers, Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, and civilians get a broader perspective on the mission of the base and what . Spangdahlem Wing commander relieved of command : AirForce 28 votes, 23 comments. Col. Peter M. Bilodeau, the commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, was relieved of command on Tuesday after less than six months on the job because of loss of faith and confidence in his leadership, U.S. Air Forces in Europe announced. Spangdahlems previous wing commander, Col. Peter M. Bilodeau, was relieved of duties in late December, less than six months on the job. Prior to leaving your installation make sure you have emergency phone numbers with you such as the First Sergeant/Commander Support Staff at both your losing and gaining installations. IG found former academy commandant misused travel, had poor command Witnesses said Retkas chokehold was a full asphyxiation that caused the drunk pilot to lose consciousness and soil himself. Spangdahlem AB Major Units | MilitaryINSTALLATIONS Gallantry: Biden presents Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. Paris Davis for his heroics in Vietnam, US to send bridge-launching vehicles for tank deployments to Ukraine in new $400M aid package, Japan complains to US over Utah senators remarks on imprisoned Navy officer, Military, VA provide troops, vets more gun safety options to help reduce suicides, Pentagon tells service members to stop displaying giant US flags at major events, K-Town Now features the latest news from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. Press J to jump to the feed. [37] The 480th EFS deployed to Uvda Air Base in Israel between 3 and 14 November 2019 to participate in Exercise Blue Flag 2019. [14], On 1 April 1994, the squadron was inactivated again as part of the post-Cold War force reductions,[4] being replaced by the 22nd Fighter Squadron who had relocated to Spangdahlem from Bitburg Air Base on the same day. The 52nd MSG supports the mission of the 52nd Fighter Wing and more than 9,000 Airmen stationed at Spangdahlem. Spangdahlem fighter wing changes command as heavy flooding strikes

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