He has also deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Noble Eagle. 2023 Stars and Stripes. Lt. Col. Michael Driscoll, who was deputy commander under Retka, is now the groups acting commander. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts Log InSign Up User account menu 28 2022Recurrent Ventures. It was assigned to Air Defense Command and equipped with North American F-86 Sabre aircraft. 1 ago. [9], In November 1967, a member of the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Capt. His retirement ceremony was held Jan. 6 at Spangdahlem. Col. Lars R. Hubert, the 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, was appointed interim wing commander. I felt his pelvis, his privates, his everything into my backside, she told Air Force Times. Where and When you Joined the AF: I enlisted in Buffalo, New York, in 1996. A posting on Spangdahlems Facebook page said that Col. Joseph D. McFall will rejoin the Sabers next month, referring to the wings moniker. Hubert has been vice commander since July 2013. [8] The continued drawdown of United States forces from Vietnam resulted in the inactivation of 37th TFW at Ph Ct AB on 31 March 1970. USAFE said Retka chose to retire several months earlier than expected. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. David Epperson, 52nd Fighter Wing outgoing commander (center), passes the 52nd FW guidon to U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randall Reed, Third Air Force commander (left), as he relinquishes command during the 52nd Fighter Wing Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Kennedy told investigators she was in shock and disbelief at what had just happened and felt numb, upset and uncomfortable. New commander brings passion to Spangdahlem. This is an official snapshot of his career: 1996 Bachelor of Arts degree, Communications, Brigham Young University, Utah. All Rights Reserved. The 52nd Fighter Wing includes more than 5,500 military and civilian personnel who help maintain and deploy the units F-16 fighters and other military hardware. His official bio, which you can read in full here, states his responsibilities as such: "He is responsible for the mission readiness of the wings aircraft, 17 wing staff agencies, stewardship of Shaw, and the health and welfare of 6,576 active duty Airmen and civilians and more than 8,000 family members. My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate.. 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[35], From 2 to 22 February 2019, the Warhawks deployed 18 F-16s to Monte Real Air Base, Portugal, to operate alongside local F-16 squadrons (Esquadra 201 and Esquadra 301) of the Portuguese Air Force. [4], The 480th TFS was reactivated on 15 November 1976 as part of the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, West Germany, flying the F-4D Phantom II. We have never seen such a disaster. Upon assuming command in July, Bilodeau shared his leadership style with the airmen who would serve under him. As the 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, Roberson oversees 10 wings in Europe and one air expeditionary wing within USAFE. During this time it was equipped with the North American F-100D/F Super Sabre and Republic F-84 Thunderjet. Myers said the administrative action was taken only in response to the dinner incident, not the other incidents described to OSI. [27], In April 2013, the 480th EFS deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, for six months to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Kotnik, but shes surrounded by wingmen that will help her every step of the way. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. [11] On 15 April 1969, the squadron moved to Ph Ct Air Base (tail code: HK), South Vietnam. Witnesses interviewed by OSI also described a history of unprofessional, sexist and misogynistic comments and inappropriate behavior on Retkas part, including an inappropriate comment after an anti-sexual harassment skit. Epperson said service members delivered about 500 bags of sand at the nearby village of Niederkeil and continued filling them until the local fire chief said it was enough to stop the flooding. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. 6. Roberson announced the appointment of Col. Lars R. Hubert, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, as interim wing commander until a replacement can assume full-time duties. All Rights Reserved. More than 60 people have died and dozens were missing Thursday in Germany and neighboring Belgium after flooding turned streets into raging torrents, sweeping away cars and causing buildings to collapse, The Associated Press reported. Mike is a photographer in Kaiserslautern, Germany. 16. 2023 Stars and Stripes. The venue was crowded, he said, and he turned his body sideways to move through a group of people. Bilodeau, who was removed by Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, the commander of the 3rd Air Force, was not relieved for any misconduct or wrongdoing, according to USAFE. On Tuesday, Dec. 30, Bilodeau was relieved of command and Hubert, the wing vice commander, was again named interim commander. The mission of the 52nd Fighter Wing is to deliver airpower options to deter and combat aggression. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. from around the world. Just my opinion but good leadership includes being open and honest in decision making. About 30 . Based in Stuttgart, Germany, he previously worked for newspapers in New Jersey, North Carolina and Maryland. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets Even as I speak, another female pilot from the 20th Fighter Wing is flying combat missions in the Middle East. 0 0 Less than a minute. The 480th TFS were the first squadron to shoot down a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 during the Vietnam War. In Colonel O'Malley's case, this little sojourn into blue humor movie making didn't seem to hold him back much. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. William McKibban, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, stands at parade rest in front of a formation for the 52nd FW Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. But some access roads were cut off by the water and landslides, base and local officials said. Col. Anthony Retka, who was commander of the 52nd Operations Group at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, was disciplined with an administrative action after an investigation into allegations that. October 1996 May 1997, Executive Officer, 71st Operations Group, Vance AFB, Okla. 2. spangdahlem commander fired. John covers U.S. military activities across Europe and Africa. Retka declined to comment, according to USAFE. For example, the 52nd has increased rotational missions in Poland as part of EUCOMs push to bolster the military presence in the region. [4] The squadron was deployed to Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, on 5 February 1966 as part of the USAF buildup in Southeast Asia. I really hope that the Air Force can grow and move forward in a more positive environment. KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany Less than a month after its former commander was relieved of duty, Spangdahlem Air Base announced its welcoming back a previous leader to take charge of the 52nd Fighter Wing. Retka, who took over the operations group in August 2017, was in his third year in command, and had already been planning to retire at Spangdahlem, Myers said. The video includes song, dance, repeated references to genitalia, a big penis and testicles puppet, and is based around discomfort of the male genitalia while flying on missions and a particular brand of talcum powder that is a solution to those issues. [14][15], In April 2010, the 52nd Fighter Wing's strength was reduced by one third when 20 F-16CJs and one F-16D were transferred to the 179th Fighter Squadron of the Air National Guard. He has covered stories for Stripes throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Afghanistan. June 2017 June 2018, Vice Commander, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah. The commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, was relieved of command Tuesday over a loss of faith and confidence in his leadership. Before the investigation concluded, Retka decided to retire several months earlier than originally planned, Myers said. It served once more as an air defense unit in the southeastern United States. The squadron's F-16s flew 2,259 sorties with a total of 9,000 flying hours during its deployment to Iraq. [26] On 9 November 2012, the 52nd OG set up a detachment (52nd OG Det 1) at ask Air Base in Poland. The squadron was first activated by III Bomber Command as the 480th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 15 July 1942 flying the B-26 Marauder, assigned to the 336th Bombardment Group. He was now working directly for Retka. Born in Peoria, Ill., he graduated from DODEAs now-defunct Frankfurt American High School. We have thousands of Airmen across our Air Force serving our country, and not one of them is perfect. U.S. Air Force Col. Pete Bilodeau, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, salutes after his first flight in the Eifel as the wing commander July 14, 2014, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Bilodeau has been immersing himself into the Spangdahlem community and learning first-hand about the many missions of the . The 52nd FW commander oversees all five of the wings groups, who directly support the mission to provide strategic, theater and contract commercial air mobility capability for Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. And the time when it was OK to pinch someones butt or rub up against someone or make a derogatory or misogynistic comment, I really want to see those days go away and be behind us.. July 2001 - January 2003, F-16 Flight Examiner, Flight Commander, 22d FS Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany 6. Witnesses also told OSI investigators that while at Kunsan, Retka once placed a much smaller pilot who became extremely intoxicated as part of a squadron initiation rite and drunkenly tackled Retka in a chokehold and refused to let go. Col. Peter M. Bilodeau, the commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, was relieved of command on Tuesday after less than six months on the job because of loss of. It means nothing, and doesn't provide any answers. Jennifer reports on the U.S. military from Kaiserslautern, Germany, where she writes about the Air Force, Army and DODEA schools. As the wings director of staff, Lt. Col. Kennedy had been working directly for former wing Commander Col. Jason Bailey. Bilodeau, a Distinguished Flying Cross recipient, flew F-16s at Spangdahlem for nearly three years in the late 1990s, when he served as an instructor pilot and assistant chief of weapons for the 23rd Fighter Squadron. This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is in the best interest of the men and women of the 52nd Fighter Wing, Roberson said. In December 1971, it became the host wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and inherited tactical squadrons from the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing at nearby Bitburg Air Base. [28][29] The pilots who did not deploy were effected by the 2013 United States budget sequestration which led to a loss of multiple flying currencies, these weren't regained until August 2013 when flying resumed. July 2004 August 2005, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 35th FS, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea. Since then, the video been referenced in multiple military and aviation forums around the net. Its really devastating, said Malu Dreyer, governor of Rhineland-Pfalz state, which includes Spangdahlem. All Rights Reserved. Community for current and past members of the US Air Force. Maj. The past year has been a busy one for the wing, which has been a part of U.S. European Commands efforts to reassure allies in eastern Europe in the wake of Russian aggression in Ukraine. However, she didnt want to make a scene and ruin the evening, as she and her husband had gotten a babysitter to be able to go out for the night. On Tuesday, Dec. 30, Bilodeau was relieved of command and Hubert, the wing vice commander, was again named interim commander. I know that loss of confidence is a common response from the Air Force, whenever someone is removed from a command position, and I think its important to understand why we take this approach. But administrative actions can include letters of reprimand, admonishment or counseling. Courtesy of U.S. Air Force (), In a 52nd Fighter Wing tradition, outgoing acting wing commander Col. Lars Hubert, right, passes a saber to incoming wing commander Col. Peter Bilodeau at the wing's assumption of command ceremony at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Friday, July 11, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. [20][21] They flew their first sortie on 21 March 2011, tasked with SEAD. She is a 2011. The commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, was relieved of command Tuesday over a loss of faith and confidence in his leadership. [23] Returning in November, the 480th FS were the last fighter unit to support Operation New Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. My base had a squadron commander (Maj) that got relieved of command for the same "reason" given for this guy. By the time Retka returned to Spangdahlem as a group commander, he was viewed by some as a bully who had a tendency to mock, disparage or undermine his subordinates. [32] The pilot ejected safely. Oink, oink. Lieutenant general belittled staff, mocked female airmans weight, IG found. [4], In April 1987, the 480th began receiving the General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, initially operating it in tandem with the F-4G. 2023 Stars and Stripes. Bilodeau was not relieved for alleged misconduct or wrongdoing, the release said. Then-Lt. Col. Anthony Retka, who was then commander of the 35th Fighter Squadron, boards an F-16 Fighting Falcon during the Max Thunder exercise at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea in 2012. Air Force officials in Europe said at the time that Bilodeau was removed because of loss of faith and confidence in his leadership, not for any misconduct or wrongdoing. . She hopes that by sharing her story, she can help do away with the remnants of a culture that tolerated such behavior by leaders. 2 weeks (roughly) later the squadron had to go to this failed leaders promotion to Lt. Col. Smdh. Kotnik, an experienced F-16C pilot whose call sign is "SiS", was certified as the Viper team leader by USAF Air Combat Command Commander Gen. Mike Holmes on January 29, 2019. On 1 July 1958, the unit was redesignated the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron (480th TFS). I would like to see a legit answer why this guy was shitcanned rather than this run-on full o' buzzwords. June 2018 present, Commander, Shaw AFB, S.C. June 2015 June 2017, Senior Military Advisor for Air Warfare Systems, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Director of Operational Test & Evaluation, Pentagon, Va. Operations group commanders typically serve two-year stints, Myers said, but Retka last year volunteered to extend his time in charge of the 52nd. Although the base is not located in the hardest-hit area, several nearby villages were inundated and roads were closed due to rising waters. - 5 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Operations Officer at Minot AFB, - 5 Maintenance Squadron Commander at Minot AFB, - 379 Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Commander at Al Udeid AB. Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox. Here is the Colonel's letter announcing her dismissal: I removed Capt. It's worth noting that the female pilot in the videois not Zoe Kotnik. The closure of Mildenhall is part of a sweeping reorganization of U.S. forces in Europe recommended by the Pentagon to consolidate infrastructure and save money. Sgt. [38], On 29 July 2020, it was announced by the Department of Defense that the 480th FS would be re-positioned from Spangdahlem to Aviano Air Base, Italy as part of a plan to withdraw forces from Germany. [30], On 30 May 2014, the 480th FS deployed in support of 52nd OG Det 1 at ask for two weeks. January 2003 - July 2004, student, U.S. Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, 16th . If you were looking for passive leadership, then you chose the wrong person, Bilodeau said at the time. Let's just hope Captain Kotnik is being treated with the same understanding as her commanding officer apparently was some 15 years ago. A wing spokesman confirmed the news Thursday. But at the same time, I wish I had [said] Tony, what is your goal? Schneider's farm is 600 meters (2,000 feet) from Spangdahlem's runway, and the noise makes him ill. Finally the Spangdahlem Command Post is accessible 24/7 and can be reached at DSN: 314-452-6141 or Comm: 011-49-6565-61-6141. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. Leslie Hauck, 52nd Fighter Wing incoming commander, renders his first salute during the 52nd FW Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. A combat pilot, hes accumulated more than 2,500 flying hours in the F-16. (Past three) Previous assignments: Melody W. Howley). (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Wing commander briefed the squadron and said it was that he and the group commander "lost faith in his ability to lead." He is headed to the Pentagon to lead the Checkmate Division at Air Force headquarters. It's stupid and maybe funny in an immature way, and I mean real immature. McFall received his commission through the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1993. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. [14] In October 1991, the squadron was redesignated as the 480th Fighter Squadron. Quoting the 3AF/CC "My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of Airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate. Jordana Kennedy said having to be around Retka and his wife was crushing and super-stressful. She began to skip group events with spouses to avoid running into the Retkas, and said she recently had a panic attack when she thought they might show up.
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