Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Jones began his career as a jet engine mechanic in the Nevada Air National Guard. The commander of the scandal-plagued California National Guard steps down He Toppled Vince McMahon. Kelly's future in the Guard has yet to be determined, Keegan said. 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 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. 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 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. 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. She also signed off on the request to discard the evidence. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Eastern District of California | Eight California National Guard April 5, 2019 / 7:29 PM The 144th Fighter Wing (144 FW) is a unit of the California Air National Guard, stationed at Fresno Air National Guard Base, California. Swertfager could not be reached for comment. The document also cites the cybersecurity episode as grounds for dismissing him, stating that he let a subordinate click through the training questions and obtain a certificate of completion for you., The memo further recounts that a 2021 survey of Guard members found that they experienced significant issues with unit cohesion, good order, and military discipline because of [Magrams] conduct.. Investigators only talked to three other people the first time around and came up empty. 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. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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. Sikora did not respond to requests for comment Friday. 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." The first of three. Crime Videos Show F-117 Stealth Jets in California Decade After Retirement Voting Is Fast and Easy on Recall Day. A Guard member who took Magrams mother shopping was quoted in the report as saying that she was particular. Garrison was the top commander of the air guard, and Kelly headed the 144th wing. 2019 the Los Angeles Times. California National Guard members watch over an access point to the Capitol in Sacramento. Disgusting discovery, accusations of cover-up at Fresno's 144th Fighter Wing. Public Affairs Office: 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. Jennifer Pineda found out someone urinated in her uniform boots. 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. 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. They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. 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. 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. This went on for about two weeks, until he had the training completed by a subordinate. He said the same about his decision to fire Maj. Gen. Gregory Jones, commander of the air wing of the Guard. The exercise is a joint and multinational exercise that will involve approximately 950 personnel from nine nations. The U.S. and Ukrainian governments are investigating to determine the cause of the accident. Commander Out At California Air National Guard After Scandal All Rights Reserved. | The complaints focused on the organizations Fresno air base and included an incident in which someone urinated in a female Guard members boots. Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. Latest 4/23 update:The LA Times has dug into the California Air National Guard scandal. 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. 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. Clear Sky brings together more than 950 personnel from Ukraine and eight NATO nations. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. Published Apr 7, 2019 3:26 PM EDT. Col. Jeremiah Cruz was named Kelly's interim replacement. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. A general forced out as head of the California Air National Guard two weeks ago says the state Guard commander has lost touch with reality.. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A spokesman for Gov. The guards function as state militias whose leaders report to their respective governors. Entertainment 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. F-15 Eagle, 'right aircraft for the mission - The National Guard At least five Guard members from the 144th Fighter Wing filed formal complaints. They patrol state airspace and stand ready to respond to natural disasters and large-scale terrorist attacks. California Governor Jerry Brown and the First Lady also extended their deepest condolences to Nehring's family and friends. 194th Fighter Squadron - Wikipedia 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. It is the first official organic story about the F-117's operations since the aircraft was retired in 2008: The 144th Fighter Wing welcomed the arrival of two F-117 Nighthawk aircraft Sept 13, 2021. The scandal dates back to March 2015, when Staff Sgt. Hawkins told The Times that those allegations are largely untrue and specifically denied making the statement about terrorist attacks. 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 least one person recorded the briefing, where Sikora said anyone filing complaints was causing problems for the wing, according to the report. The command change follows aLos Angeles Timesreport on allegations that whistleblowers at the guard's Fresno base suffered reprisals for questioning actions or conduct, including an incident in which a female guard member discovered urine in her boots. Navin denied any involvement, according to Guard records. 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 . Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. 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. 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. Investigators reached no conclusions that time around either. Gen. Gregory Jones two months after a newspaper. 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. A guard spokesman on Friday, April 5, 2019, confirmed the shakeup, but did not have additional details. Forensic analysts say urine can be tested for DNA, but it degrades faster than other tissue and bodily fluids. 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. The speech was clearly directed at me and a few other people that have pursued justice through the IG.. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. Magram said in his statement that he was late in completing the training because of a tremendously busy operational tempo.. Alene Tchekmedyian And Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times 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. 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. Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. The Times reported last year that an internal inquiry substantiated allegations that Brig. Jones has served as assistant adjutant general since December 2017. 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. 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. Attempts to reach Magram for comment were unsuccessful. Captain Nehring is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with California Air National Guard's 194th Fighter Squadron in Fresno.
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