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 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. | 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. The vast majority of you are good people who are killing it in a high ops tempo year, you're very honorable, red-blooded Americans, Sikora said at the meeting, according to the report. 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. 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. A Guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. The commander of the 144th Fighter Wing at the Fresno base was also removed. Federal investigators on Thursday arrested a 21-year-old air national guardsman who they believe is linked to a trove of leaked classified U.S . Overview. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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. Gen. Gregory Jones two months after a newspaper detailed the fallout from a scandal involving someone urinating in the boots of a service member. SACRAMENTO, Calif. Grand juries in Fresno and Sacramento have indicted eight current or former members of the California National Guard, in seven separate cases, charging them with wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining recruiting referral bonuses, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. 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. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. It's all part of. Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times 2019 the Los Angeles Times. 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. 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. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. Baldwin has been adjutant general of the Guard since 2011, when he was appointed by then-Gov. 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,. 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, By ), At Willie Nelson 90, country, rock and rap stars pay tribute, but Willie and Trigger steal the show, Concertgoer lets out a loud full body orgasm while L.A. Phil plays Tchaikovskys 5th, Plaschke: Lakers live up to their legacy with a close-out win for the ages, L.A. Affairs: I had my reasons for not dating white men. Except When Its Not. 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. 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Woodside retired from the unit in 2016, so he talked freely with Action News about the investigations into someone urinating in Pineda's uniform. 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. Baldwin said the fact that he resided in El Dorado Hills, where the protests were small and peaceful, had no bearing on the deployment of the RC-26B reconnaissance plane. 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. A guard spokesman on Friday, April 5, 2019, confirmed the shakeup, but did not have additional details. The Air National Guard is a reserve component of the United State Air Force. In a report released after the ousters of Garrison and Col. Dan Kelly, the commander of the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno, the Military Department inspector general cited findings of a Times investigation two months ago that detailed the whistleblower allegations. 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. 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. Last week, Maj. Gen. Clay L. Garrison and Col. Dan Kelly were removed in the wake of a Times investigation that detailed the whistleblower complaints and allegations that officers covered up an incident in which someone urinated in a female Guard member's boots. 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. 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. Members of the 144ths security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. He says new rules instituted in 2016 might make the incident a more serious crime, which would've brought in more seasoned investigators. Magram had generally confirmed the members accounts of running errands for him, according to the report. Off the Bottom Rope 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. 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. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. 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. It just took her a long time to decide what she wanted, a lot of comparison shopping amongst products.. 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. General requirements include: AGE. Published Apr 15, 2019 10:00 AM EDT. 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. U.S. Air Force Col. 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. 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. Hawkins told The Times that those allegations are largely untrue and specifically denied making the statement about terrorist attacks. 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. However, in 2021, Baldwin suspended him with pay and reassigned him after a Times report that Guard members were concerned that their leaders had readied an F-15C fighter jet for a possible mission in which the aircraft would fly low over civilian protesters to frighten and disperse them. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 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. A spokesman for Gov. Sikora's briefing came after The Times began asking questions about alleged retaliation against whistleblowers and the incident in which Staff Sgt. 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. Phone: (559) 454-5246 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. The first of three investigations launched right after Staff Sgt. Our traditional members serve one weekend each month and about two weeks each year, with opportunities for full-time employment. But fellow officers are questioning the investigations, complaining about retaliation for their contributions and a potential cover-up. The familiarization flights give NATO service members an opportunity to ride in Soviet or Russian-built aircraft, like the Su-27UB fighter jet. These criteria ensure that those who join have the right mental, physical and moral aptitudes to perform the tasks required for military service. Public File for KMAX-TV / Good Day Sacramento. Valley Weather Rollercoaster: Mid-90s Now, Upper 60s Next Week, Adventure in Spices? By Staff Sgt. Gen. Gregory F. Jones, who has served as an assistant adjutant general in the Guard since December 2017, was appointed to replace Garrison. Baldwin later removed the commander of the Guards air side, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison. Friday's report said that Sikora's conduct also had a chilling effect on Guard members by discouraging them from exercising their rights to seek redress through the organization's inspector general, their representatives in Congress or the news media. The 144th is renowned for its F-15 pilots working to protect California and the country. 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. You must meet certain enlistment criteria to qualify for the Air National Guard. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. 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. Published Nov. 8, 2022. Local 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. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. Members of the Guard described a "climate of retaliationand mistrust. ", By 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. 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. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. 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. Most of the allegations against Magram were first disclosed in a Times report in June. Published Apr 7, 2019 3:26 PM EDT. Attempts to reach Magram for comment were unsuccessful. 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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. It said Sikora used insulting and defamatory language in remarks to subordinates. 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. At least five guard members from the 144th wing filed formal complaints. In a memorandum to Magram that The Times obtained this week, Beevers wrote, Your conduct has caused me to lose faith, trust, and confidence in your ability to continue serving.. Now the California Air National Guard faces coverup allegations. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. Two of those were related to the urine incident, including one filed by Pineda. 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). 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Investigators only talked to three other people the first time around and came up empty. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Oops! Dont Put Plastic Bags in That Blue Recycling Cart! One of the jets was a single-engine F-16C Fighting . Jones was unavailable for comment, Keegan said. The commander of the 144th Fighter Wing at the Fresno base was also removed. FRESNO, Calif. - The roar of two fighter jets flying over Fresno marked the beginning of a new era June 18. Jennifer Pineda found out someone urinated in her uniform boots. 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. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. Gen. Gregory Jones two months after a newspaper. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 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. Garrison was removed because the California Military Department, which oversees the air and army branches of the Guard, had lost faith, trust and confidence in his ability to lead, a spokesman said. Investigators reached no conclusions that time around either. Col. Jeremiah Cruz was named Kelly's interim replacement. Latest The California National Guard has been buffeted by allegations of misconduct in its upper ranks, coverups and retaliation against whistleblowers. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. This website is managed by the Public Affairs Office. What Dyer Had to Say. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Sikora was suspended as the wing's Operations Group leader in December. The exercise is a joint and multinational exercise that will involve approximately 950 personnel from nine nations. The Air Force initially issued a letter of admonishment to Magram as a result of the first inspector general investigation. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. FRESNO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif --. Several Guard members took Sikora's remarks as a criticism of people who had filed complaints with the inspector general. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. 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. 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. Stunning 4K videos show F-117s operating in California more than a decade after the stealth jet retired. Recruiters: In interviews with The Times, several current and former members of the Guard have described a climate of retaliation by high-ranking officers and mistrust in the organization's inspector general system intended to hold them accountable. Here's what we know. The speech was clearly directed at me and a few other people that have pursued justice through the IG.. The Fresno Air National Guard base hosted a ribbon cutting for its new fuel storage facilities, featuring tanks with increased capacities. Must be between the age of 17 and 40. Our mission is to promote positive support for the 144th Fighter Wing and the California Air National Guard by providing accurate, relevant and timely information to our members, their families, our local community, our state and our nation. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. 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. As part of the Air Reserve Component of the United States Air Force, the wing is operationally gained by the Air Combat Command .

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