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. "This is a problem with their leadership.". 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 guardsman discovered urine in her boots. The document quoted one unnamed Guard member as saying he did not want to drive Magram because my job is to take care of the airmen in the state of California and not be a chauffeur for a general.. Captain Nehring is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with California Air National Guard's 194th Fighter Squadron in Fresno. 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. First published on April 5, 2019 / 7:29 PM. 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. In a statement Friday, Keegan said, The Guard is committed to providing a transparent, respectful and positive command climate. I am confident that Brig. Gavin Newsom referred questions about Friday's shakeup back to the Guard. | They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. 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. A general is fired from the scandal-plagued California National Guard Mercedes Taylor. 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.". 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. The commander of the 144th Fighter Wing at the Fresno base was also removed. California Air National Guard removes commander over threats against An internal inquiry also determined that Sikora improperly excoriated a retired pilot for speaking to The Times, the report said. FRESNO, Calif. - The roar of two fighter jets flying over Fresno marked the beginning of a new era June 18. He said he believed that having subordinates give him rides to medical appointments was consistent with the Air Forces wingman concept, in which Guard members look out for one another. 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. Woodside says it should've been handled differently from the start, especially since people in command positions might've been involved. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. By Staff Sgt. 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. 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.. 'Double-dipping' probe targets Air National Guard pilots in Fresno This website is managed by the Public Affairs Office. 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." Published Apr 7, 2019 3:26 PM EDT. 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. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. Chris Drudge), U.S. airman killed in training exercise in Ukraine confirmed from 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno. 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. Maj. Gen. Clay L. Garrison, the top commander of the 4,700-member air guard, was dismissed for being unable to maintain a positive command climate, said Lt. Col. Thomas Keegan, spokesman for the California Military Department. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. (559) 454-5286 Air National Guard - ABC30 Fresno I want to reiterate that had I ever heard of any ethics issues like this from subordinates, peers or commanders, or perceptions of such, I would have corrected or addressed it on the spot, Magram said in a statement to an inspector general. Commander out at California Air National Guard after scandal 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. The complaints focused on the organizations Fresno air base and included an incident in which someone urinated in a female Guard members boots. Gen. Gregory F. Jones, who has served as an assistant adjutant general in the Guard since December 2017, was appointed to replace Garrison. The first of three investigations launched right after Staff Sgt. It said Sikora used insulting and defamatory language in remarks to subordinates. 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. 2019 the Los Angeles Times. The 144th Fighter Wing (FW) of the California Air National Guard occupies two separate parcels of land (the main base area and the Munitions Storage Area) totaling 110.726 acres (0.44809 km 2) of leased land on the Fresno Yosemite International Airport . Why is Frank McCourt really pushing this? Both were inconclusive and the case was closed. Overview. Kelly's future in the Guard has yet to be determined, Keegan said. 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. 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. | At least five guard members from the 144th wing filed formal complaints. 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. Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. Members of the Guard described a "climate of retaliationand mistrust. Oops! Dont Put Plastic Bags in That Blue Recycling Cart! Fresno Scandal Forces Out Air National Guard Commander California Governor Jerry Brown and the First Lady also extended their deepest condolences to Nehring's family and friends. Local Latest 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. 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. FRESNO, Calif. The head of the California Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, was relieved of command and replaced by Brig. Investigators reached no conclusions that time around either. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. She also signed off on the request to discard the evidence. Gen. Gregory Jones two months after a newspaper. 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. Hawkins told The Times that those allegations are largely untrue and specifically denied making the statement about terrorist attacks. A general is fired from the scandal-plagued California National Guard Woodside says the IG system isn't working right now, though, because investigators aren't acting independently of wing commanders. He Toppled Vince McMahon. U.S. Air Force Col. Both of them, along with others, felt targeted by Sikora's remarks, the report said. Some in the wing refer to the scandal as Pissgate., The saga dates to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. But fellow officers are questioning the investigations, complaining about retaliation for their contributions and a potential cover-up. Keegan said Friday he did not know the status of the probe. As part of the Air Reserve Component of the United States Air Force, the wing is operationally gained by the Air Combat Command . Three days later, the report said, he called a mandatory meeting of his subordinates to discuss his suspension. April 12, 2019 7:05 PM PT 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. 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. Copyright 2023 KFSN-TV. 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. When it comes to protecting U.S. Air Force's military assets, the responsibility falls on the Security Forces Defenders. 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,. Gen. Gregory Jones two months after a newspaper detailed the fallout from a scandal involving someone urinating in the boots of a service member. Scandals taint highest ranks of National Guard - PressReader An F-117 Nighthawks at the Fresno Air National Guard Base in California, September 15, 2021 . A six-barrel cannon can shoot enemy fighters out of the sky. Local This went on for about two weeks, until he had the training completed by a subordinate. The first of three. The familiarization flights give NATO service members an opportunity to ride in Soviet or Russian-built aircraft, like the Su-27UB fighter jet. Based on this article, and in addition to other evidence collected, it would appear that there is a culture of reprisal, or at a minimum the perception of reprisal, that has a long stemmed history within the 144th, the inspector general report states. California Air National Guard removes commander over threats against Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. The jets made a pass over a crowd of National Guard members and civilians who had assembled in front of the 144th Fighter Wing's maintenance hangar on the Fresno Air National Guard Base. Charles Vaughn). Members of the 144ths security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. The speech was clearly directed at me and a few other people that have pursued justice through the IG.. 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. 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. Our traditional members serve one weekend each month and about two weeks each year, with opportunities for full-time employment. He flew the F-16 Viper for more than 15 years, before converting to the F-15 Eagle. 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. Jennifer Pineda found that someone at the Fresno base had urinated in the boots she had left in a bathroom overnight. Disgusting discovery, accusations of cover-up at Fresno - ABC30 Fresno Off the Bottom Rope The Air Force says that Nehring has been a member of the 144th for more than 20 years. Gavin Newsoms office and Baldwins successor, Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, the Guards acting adjutant general. NORTH DIGHTON, Mass. The 144th is renowned for its F-15 pilots working to protect California and the country. Baldwin later removed the commander of the Guard's air side, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison. The inquiry also determined that Magram failed to complete his annual cybersecurity training and thus had lower-ranking Guard members each day request that headquarters temporarily restore his computer access. 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. Rieger recommended in his report that Sikora receive a memorandum of reprimand and be relieved of command due to the loss of faith in him as a 144th leader. "If there was a smoking gun, they took it and threw it right in the river," said Maj. Woodside. 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. Air National Guardsman Arrested as F.B.I. Searches His Home A 144th pilot, Lt. Col. 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. Nehring began his career as an enlisted crew chief before being selected as a pilot. 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. An F-15C air-to-air combat jet was placed on alert in case of unrest over the pandemic or election, sources and records say. That culminated in his firing. A guard spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, on Friday confirmed the shake-up, but he did not have additional details. Gen. Gregory Jones two months after a newspaper detailed the fallout from a scandal involving someone urinating in the boots of a service member. Investigators only talked to three other people the first time around and came up empty. Gen. Responding to a subsequent Times query, the Guard confirmed in June that Hawkins had resigned. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Please enter valid email address to continue. Ron DeSantis replaced the Florida National Guard's adjutant general two years ago amid revelations of sexual abuse, coverups and reprisal. 144th FW signs Heritage jet. 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. At least one person recorded the briefing, where Sikora said anyone filing complaints was causing problems for the wing, according to the report. 144th Fighter Wing Welcomes F-117 Nighthawks for Training 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. 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. 144th FW signs Heritage jet > 144th Fighter Wing > Article Display Unprofessional leadership cited in Air National Guard whistleblower 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. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. 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. Keegan said the department had lost faith, trust and confidence in Garrison's ability to lead. Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times 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. 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. Mission [ edit] Fresno's 144th Fighter Wing protects skies above Super Bowl 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.