(559) 454-5100 This website is managed by the Public Affairs Office. Brig. Contact the Public Affairs Office at: 144FW.HQ.PublicAffairs@us.af.mil, Directory: 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. 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. The first of three. The U.S. and Ukrainian governments are investigating to determine the cause of the accident. U.S. Air Force Col. 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. / CBS Sacramento. Ron DeSantis replaced the Florida National Guard's adjutant general two years ago amid revelations of sexual abuse, coverups and reprisal. 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. All Rights Reserved. Navin denied any involvement, according to Guard records. Three days later, the report said, he called a mandatory meeting of his subordinates to discuss his suspension. Jerry Brown. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. The following year, officers at the 144th destroyed the evidence collected from the crime scene, saying it was old and no longer needed. 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. A 144th pilot, Lt. Col. A Guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times Members of the 144ths security forces conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. 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 Fresno Air National Guard base hosted a ribbon cutting for its new fuel storage facilities, featuring tanks with increased capacities. Consent from a parent or 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. 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. 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. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. Pineda filed a whistleblower complaint, in which she wrote that she feared she'd be forced out of the military because some had speculated that she urinated in her own boots for attention.. Garrison was the top commander of the air guard, and Kelly headed the 144th wing. 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. Gen. Gregory F. Jones, who has served as an assistant adjutant general in the Guard since December 2017, was appointed to replace Garrison. Magram attained the rank of assistant adjutant general and had been part of Baldwins inner circle. 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. The familiarization flights give NATO service members an opportunity to ride in Soviet or Russian-built aircraft, like the Su-27UB fighter jet. He says new rules instituted in 2016 might make the incident a more serious crime, which would've brought in more seasoned investigators. 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. It's all part of. 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. Local It all happened under his watchful eye, but he was not alone in allowing this to happen.. ", By Several Guard members took Sikora's remarks as a criticism of people who had filed complaints with the inspector general. Voting Is Fast and Easy on Recall Day. News, Latest Jennifer Pineda found out someone urinated in her uniform boots. Gen. Woodside says the IG system isn't working right now, though, because investigators aren't acting independently of wing commanders. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The skies above Super Bowl LVI were safe Sunday thanks to tactical fighter aircraft based in Fresno. 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. 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. News, Appetite for Fresno A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? April 5, 2019 / 7:29 PM 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. Local 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. 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. Members of the 144ths security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. Baldwin later removed the commander of the Guards air side, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison. Kelly's future in the Guard has yet to be determined, Keegan said. These criteria ensure that those who join have the right mental, physical and moral aptitudes to perform the tasks required for military service. Garrison and Kelly did not respond to interview requests. 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 scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. "Back when this happened in 2015, if the Air Force Office of Special Investigation got involved, maybe it would've been handled differently," said the former judge advocate general, or JAG. Crime But fellow officers are questioning the investigations, complaining about retaliation for their contributions and a potential cover-up. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 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. Keegan said Friday he did not know the status of the probe. Members of the 144th's security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. (559) 454-5383 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. Phone: (559) 454-5246 Captain Nehring is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with California Air National Guard's 194th Fighter Squadron in Fresno. The Fresno Air National Guard base is home to the 144th . 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. 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. Gen. David Hawkins made antisemitic and homophobic slurs, including that Jews are unrepentant sinners and that gay marriage is a reason terrorists attack the United States. 144th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. A mystery at a California military base led to claims of a cover-up. Troy Havener, 144th Fighter Wing commander, said, "We have the distinct honor of being the . The head of the California Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, was relieved of his command and replaced by Brig. Among the other disclosures by The Times were the Guards use of a spy plane to monitor civilian protesters and fears in the ranks that it planned to deploy a fighter jet to frighten demonstrators. They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. It said Sikora used insulting and defamatory language in remarks to subordinates. 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. However, Magram had been counseled in 2017 that tasking Guard members for rides to personal appointments was inappropriate, the report stated, adding that his wingman argument rings hollow. The investigation similarly faulted him for using an underling to work on his travel awards accounts, including for personal trips. 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. 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. | But everybody else.. Baldwin has been adjutant general of the Guard since 2011, when he was appointed by then-Gov. 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 . 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. General requirements include: AGE. 144th FW signs Heritage jet. The Air Force initially issued a letter of admonishment to Magram as a result of the first inspector general investigation. Then something changed, Most of Yosemite Valley is closed due to potentially perilous snowpack and flooding, 7 hospitalized after driver in stolen car runs red light in San Bernardino, police say, Barstow police investigating after officer caught on video hitting man with a baton, Man found guilty of murdering teens who ding-dong-ditched his house, Sacramento, San Francisco mayors take shots at each others city before NBA playoff game, Unseasonable rain, cooler temperatures in forecast for Los Angeles this week. Sikora was suspended as the wing's Operations Group leader in December. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. Published Nov. 8, 2022. 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 California National Guard has been buffeted by allegations of misconduct in its upper ranks, coverups and retaliation against whistleblowers. The Guard denies it. 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 144th pilot, Lt. Col. 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. 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.

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