Sports. FRESNO, Calif. The head of the California Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Clay Garrison, was relieved of command and replaced by Brig. A spokesman for Gov. Three days later, the report said, he called a mandatory meeting of his subordinates to discuss his suspension. Director of Psychological Health: 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. 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. The California National Guard has been buffeted by allegations of misconduct in its upper ranks, coverups and retaliation against whistleblowers. Gen. You must meet certain enlistment criteria to qualify for the Air National Guard. The report was prepared by Brig. 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. First published on April 5, 2019 / 7:29 PM. 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. 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. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. The commander of the fighter squadron at the time, Col. Sean Navin, was one of the drinkers. ", By Legendary Valley Thoroughbred Elected to Racing Hall of Fame, Collision Ends Smyly Perfect Game Bid, Cubs Top Dodgers 13-0, Oakland As Set Vegas Move in Motion With Stadium Land Deal, Draymond Greens Suspension Is the Talk of the NBA Playoffs, California Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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. Paul Pringle is a Los Angeles Times reporter who specializes in investigating corruption. Oops! Dont Put Plastic Bags in That Blue Recycling Cart! All Rights Reserved. Two of those were related to the urine incident, including one filed by Pineda. Fresno-based fighter pilot killed in Ukraine identified as Lt. Col 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. 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. 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. "This is a problem with their leadership.". 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. Col. Victor Sikora was relieved of command after engaging in conduct unbecoming of an officer by addressing a gathering of Guard members in a manner some found intimidating and humiliating, according to a report released Friday. 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. 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. 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. Scandals taint highest ranks of National Guard - PressReader Members of the 144th Medical Detachment 1 recently completed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region IX California Homeland Response Force (HRF) external evaluation March 30, 2023, at Camp Roberts, California. Maj. Dan Woodside, a retired 144th fighter pilot who is a witness in an inspector general's Pineda investigation and has complained about how she was treated, said Guard members were afraid to approach Garrison with any reports of wrongdoing, fearing they would be punished. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Northern California town on edge after second fatal stabbing in a week, Sheriffs Department investigates memo alleging captain wouldnt promote angry Black sergeant, CEO of Cookies pot brand accused of kickbacks, strong-arm tactics, Californias top military brass rocked by homophobia, antisemitism, indecent exposure scandals, What you need to know about the scandals at the California National Guard. A general is fired from the scandal-plagued California National Guard Consent from a parent or Phone: (559) 454-5246 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. 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. The 20,000-member Guard serves a dual stateand-federal mission that includes responding to emergencies in California, such as earthquakes, wildfires and civil disturbances, and assisting U.S. armed forces in military operations overseas. Overview. 144th Fighter Wing taking to the skies for night-flight . 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. Our traditional members serve one weekend each month and about two weeks each year, with opportunities for full-time employment.
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