The commanders who were relieved are Col. Gregory Mayer, 5th Mission Support Group Commander, and Maj. Jonathan Welch, 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander, according to MAFB Public Affairs. Base public affairs confirmed that Col. Daniel Hoadley remains in command of the 5th Bomb Wing. He was commissioned in the Air Force after graduating from Texas A&M University's ROTC program in 1999 and had deployments to Iraq, Kuwait and Oman in various roles. To protect the privacy of the individuals, further details will not be released. An Air Force biography about Mayer's career has been removed from the base's website, but an archived copy on the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine shows he took on his role as commander of the 5th Mission Support Group in June 2022. The firings were "due to a loss of confidence in their ability to complete their assigned duties," according to the Monday press release. The two officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the continuing inquiry. Previous command removals at Minot AFB included the dismissal of the 91st Missile Wing Operations Support Squadron commander in 2021 and the 69th Bomb Squadron and 91st Security Forces Group commanders in 2018. 0:05. "These personnel actions were necessary to maintain the very high standards we demand of those units entrusted with supporting our Nation's nuclear mission," said Gebara. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The Air Force has relieved six leaders assigned to a North Dakota base in charge of nuclear missiles and bombers over a loss of confidence, the military branch said Monday. "These personnel actions were necessary to maintain the very high standards we demand of those units entrusted with supporting our nation's nuclear mission," Gebara said Monday in a command statement. Col. Gregory Mayer, center, accepts the command guidon of the 5th Mission Support Group on June 30, 2022, at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. Mayer is one of two This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. from around the world. Additionally, four additional subordinate leaders were relieved by commanders assigned to Minot Air Force Base. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., discusses what led to his and other lawmakers Air Force service records to be released and calls for a further investigation. Gregory McWherter was a two-time commander of the elite precision Navy flying team. Lt. And I agree. Brett E. Crozier, the ship's former commander, will not be reinstated, Navy Adm. Michael M. Gilday, chief of naval operations said at a Pentagon news conference. Read Next: Military Services Will Amend COVID Vaccine Refuser Records So They Aren't Passed Over for Promotions. (Master Sgt. It is my belief that both Admiral Baker and Captain Crozier fell well short of what we expect of those in command. Baker, the commander of Strike Group 9, was Crozier's immediate superior. Mayer took command of the 5th Mission Support Group in June last year. Marc Crawford, the commander of ", Both Crozier and Baker failed to move sailors off the aircraft carrier as quickly as they could have, and failed to move them to a safer environment more quickly, Gilday said. Col. Gregory Mayer, the commander of the 5th Mission Support Group, and Maj. Jonathan Welch, the commander of the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron, were both relieved of their jobs, a Minot Air Force Base spokeswoman confirmed to Military.com on Tuesday morning. -- Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara, commander of 8th Air Force, relieved two commanders today from their positions of "Captain Crozier's primary responsibility was the safety and the well-being of the crew, so that the ship could remain as operationally ready as possible," he said. Air Force). He was the only sailor aboard the Roosevelt to die from COVID-19. He was relieved of his duties as commander of the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado on Friday, May 14, by order of Lt. Gen. Steven Whiting. The Navy has dealt with other command issues related to sexual harassment in recent months. Crozier was relieved of duty April 2 following the leak of a letter he wrote to those higher up in his chain of command. The Air Force relieved 6 leaders assigned to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. A Navy official told USNI News that he was relieved due to subtantiated sexual harassment concerns. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! He joined Military Times in 2020. Story tips can be sent tolouis.casiano@fox.com. A brigade commander at Fort Gordon has been fired following allegations of personal misconduct, the Army announced Tuesday. ", An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. "As Captain Crozier stated in his email, he should have been more decisive when the ship pulled into Guam," Gilday said. 2023 www.augustachronicle.com. All rights reserved. Braithwaite also expressed condolences for Navy Chief Petty Officer Charles Robert Thacker Jr., a USS Theodore Roosevelt aviation ordnanceman, who died April 13 of COVID-19. Richard J. Zamberlan, the ships skipper, and Cmdr. Two Commanders and four leaders were fired, however no specific reason was given. From January 2013 through February 2014, 22 commanders were relieved, 21 in 2013 alone, Navy officials said. Waryas declined to verify details of the alleged incident, which Army Times could not independently confirm. Phillip Lundberg, the vessels executive officer, were relieved by Capt. The U.S. Army is currently investigating the allegations., Waryas also confirmed the Army Criminal Investigation Division is one of the agencies investigating the alleged misconduct, adding that Depreo is presumed innocent until a court or commander finds them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. authenticate users, apply security measures, and prevent spam and abuse, and, display personalised ads and content based on interest profiles, measure the effectiveness of personalised ads and content, and, develop and improve our products and services. Crozier will not be reassigned as the commanding officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, nor will he be eligible for future command opportunities. In the end, the email and the letters sent by Captain Crozier were unnecessary. Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Commander of the Eastern Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine visited the units defending the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk Oblast on 3 March. Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara, commander of 8th Air Force, relieved two commanders today from their positions of leadership at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, due to a loss of confidence in their ability to complete Phillip Lundberg, the executive officer, were both relieved of duty in a rare termination of two high-ranking officials. Cmdr. To protect the privacy of the individuals, further details will not be released. All rights reserved. By Geoff Ziezulewicz. The Montgomery has in recent years patrolled contested waterways like the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea in what Navy officials say is a signal to allies and adversaries that the United States is committed to protecting free and open international waters. "Our mission is foundational to our Nation's defense, and we remain committed to the success of that no-fail mission. Ken Anderson, relieved Cmdr. The shake-up in leadership also comes as Air Force officials are now investigating whether service members in a wide assortment of jobs who have served at any of the nation's intercontinental ballistic missile bases, including Minot, are at risk for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other cancers. FORT HOOD, Texas Fort Hood announced Thursday that Col. Michael Schoenfeldt was relieved of his duty because of a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to command. Crozier was relieved of duty April 2 following the leak of a letter he wrote to those higher up in his chain of command. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. Army veteran Allison Jaslow also is the first LGBTQ leader of a major veterans service organization. "In reviewing both Admiral Baker and Captain Crozier's actions, they did not do enough, soon enough, to fulfill their primary obligation. Air Force Global Strike Command added that, in addition to the two commanders, four subordinate leaders were fired by other officials at Minot. Col. Michael Maginness will be stepping in as interim Mission Support Group Commander, MAFB Public Affairs said. The commander of a US aircraft carrier that has been hit by a major outbreak of coronavirus has been relieved of command for showing poor judgment days after Six leaders from the North Dakata base have been relieved over a lack of confidence, the Air Force said Monday. The services often don't disclose specifics of why commanders are relieved of their duties, typically citing the federal Privacy Act, which protects military records, and relying on the vague phrase "loss of trust and confidence" instead of detailing the specific reasons behind a shake-up, including whether there was misconduct. The names of the subordinates are not being publicized by base leaders. On December 10, 2021, Commander, Naval Surface Squadron 14, Capt. They were dismissed due to a loss of confidence in their ability to complete their assigned duties, an Air Force statement said. Jozsef Papp. Legal Statement. or redistributed. BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. The Department of Defense provides the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security. Surface Division 21 Commodore Capt. Biographical details about Welch's career were not immediately available. 0:15. "The much broader, deeper investigation that we conducted in the weeks following that had a much deeper scope. Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara, commander of 8th Air Force, relieved two commanders today from their positions of leadership at Minot Air Force Base, North "To protect the privacy of the individuals, further details will not be released," the news release said. Cmdr. Col. Gregory Mayer, center, accepts the command guidon of the 5th Mission Support Group on June 30, 2022, at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. Mayer is one of two commanders at the base who were recently relieved. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. The secretary also commended Guam Gov. Following the release of a report into the events surrounding an outbreak of COVID-19 on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Navy Capt. The Air Force didn't identify the commanders, but an Air Force spokesperson confirmed their identities to Task & Purpose. The new ships have experienced engine problems and other flaws, which Navy officials now say they have ironed out. That firing was reported earlier by USNI News. All rights reserved. Col. Joe Buccino, spokesman for the corps, declined to comment on the nature of the allegations or provide any additional information regarding the investigation into Foulk, the ArmyTimes reported. "Eighth Force continues to safeguard global combat power and conduct around-the-clock strategic deterrence operations in a safe, secure and effective manner," Gebara said. Lt. Col. Jon-Paul Depreo, former commander of the 46th Engineer Battalion, pictured at the battalion's military ball on Dec. 13, 2022 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. "He also said that he was ultimately responsible for his ship and his crew. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Additionally, he said, Crozier "exercised questionable judgment when he released sailors from quarantine on the ship, which put his crew at higher risk and may have increased the spread of the virus aboard the Theodore Roosevelt.". 2 Commanders Among 6 Fired from Jobs at Minot Air Force Base, Paris Davis, Black Green Beret in Vietnam, Finally Awarded Medal of Honor at White House, Ex-Army Private Gets 45 Years for Plot Against His Unit, The Pentagon Is Behind on Issuing Policy to Allow Cadets Who Have Kids to Remain at Service Academies, IAVA Names New CEO, First Woman to Lead the Post-9/11 Veterans Organization, Air Mobility Command Removes Tail Numbers and Unit Info from Planes, Alarming Watchdogs, All Combat-Injured Vets Would Keep Their Full Retirement, Disability Pay Under Proposal, Better Housing, Health Care, Pay and a Call for National Service Needed to Buoy Recruitment, Enlisted Chiefs Say, Veterans' Emergency Room Bills Could Get Repaid by VA Thanks to Change, Why Purported Cross-Border Attack Ups Ante in Ukraine War, Military Services Will Amend COVID Vaccine Refuser Records So They Aren't Passed Over for Promotions, an archived copy on the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine shows, now investigating whether service members, Special Operations Commander Fired After Being Arrested for Alleged Drunk Driving, Hit and Run, The Personally Procured Move (PPM): Steps to Take, Service Members Get Special Rental and Eviction Protection, The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act - SCRA, Ohio Guard Quietly Removed Guardsman Guilty of Making Ghost Guns Last Year, Some Neck and Hand Tattoos OK for Airmen and Guardians Under New Policy Aimed at Helping Recruiting, Nuclear Base Fired 6 Service Members Over Failed Safety Inspection, Defense Official Says, Hawaii Congressional Delegation Asks IRS to Exempt Red Hill Families, Navy Seabee Battalion Honored in Decommissioning Ceremony, Is Deactivated After 80 Years of Building and Fighting, Navy Investigating 3 Instances of 'Hate Symbols' Aboard Destroyer, Health Net Protests $65.1 Billion Tricare Contract Award, Tricare Dental Program to Expand Choice of Carriers Under New Law, Veterans Group Pushes Cap on Attorney Fees in Camp Lejeune Water Cases Despite Political Divide on Limits, Disabled Vets Post Stunning Job Gains as Economy Remains Hot Despite Inflation, Marine Corps Axes Elite Scout Sniper Platoons, Coast Guard Relieves Commander Following Deadly Collision, Coast Guard Swimmer Recounts Dramatic Rescue of Alleged Oregon Yacht Thief and Goonies Prankster, Coast Guard Gulf of Mexico Rescue to Be Chronicled in Survival Thriller Movie, Celebrated Pearl Harbor Survivor Jack Holder Lived Large for Those Who Didn't Make It, 'Dead Space' Remake Gets Everything Right, Army Veteran Wayne Shorter Was a Titan of Jazz. Capt. In the letter, he asked for more assistance in dealing with the outbreak of COVID-19 on the ship. "If they do, they must ensure that all of the means of communication within the chain of command have been thoroughly exhausted and that they have a full understanding of all the facts, and that they include all members of their chain of command in that communication," he said. (U.S. Air Force). In addition, Navy Rear Adm. Stuart Baker's pending promotion to two-star rank has been put on hold, pending further review, Gilday said. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. A lieutenant colonel commanding an engineer battalion at Fort Polk, Louisiana, has been fired amid a criminal investigation, an installation spokesperson confirmed to Army Times. In a Facebook post Friday afternoon, Scheller said he had been relieved of his duties and would leave the Marine Corps. The enlisted advisers for the five Department of Defense branches called on Congress to help them advocate for military Col. Gregory Mayer, the commander of the 5th Mission Support Group, and Maj. Jonathan Welch, the commander of the 5th VA medical patients who have gone to a non-VA emergency room since 2010 can get their out-of-pocket coinsurance costs Russia has declared that a group of saboteurs from Ukraine crossed into its territory and attacked border villages, a raid Copyright 2023 Military.com.