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[20][21] They flew their first sortie on 21 March 2011, tasked with SEAD. When it comes to innovative thinking, you are the benchmark that all the rest of my wings measure against. 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 faith and confidence in his leadership, U.S. Air Forces in Europe announced. 2023 Stars and Stripes. Emergency Assistance Associated . Although the base is not located in the hardest-hit area, several nearby villages were inundated and roads were closed due to rising waters. [18], The 480th FS participated in Exercise Red Flag 11-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, between 22 January and 4 February 2011. Edit: loljk he wrote something an hour ago. His retirement leaves the operations group without a permanent commander until June, when his official replacement will assume command. After serving as a C-5 Crew Chief at Travis AFB, I was accepted for an ROTC scholarship to attend California State University, Sacramento, where I commissioned in 2004. August 1999 July 2001, Assistant Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 389th FS, Mt Home AFB, Idaho, 5. Col. Peter M. Bilodeau. My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate.. The unit is based at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. USAFE said Retka chose to retire several months earlier than expected. Hauck assumed command of an F-16 wing dubbed Saber Nation, which is headquartered in rural Spangdahlem. You haven't been stationed in grand forks or Minot have you? July 2011 June 2012 Director of Operations, 422d Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. 12. After assuming command, Hauck told his airmen: I know we are going to face trial and tribulations, but we will continue to conquer them and be 100% mission ready.. Here is the Colonel's letter announcing her dismissal: I removed Capt. Several witnesses said Retka then regularly engaged in the steamrolling pranks, sometimes while naked, the report said. We have thousands of Airmen across our Air Force serving our country, and not one of them is perfect. from around the world. But administrative actions can include letters of reprimand, admonishment or counseling. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can help do away with the remnants of a culture that tolerated such behavior by leaders. She told investigators that about 30 people had previously passed through the center aisle without any physical contact, and that there was eight to 10 feet of open space behind her. Exactly the way they like it. Stars and Stripes reporter Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this report. "My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of Airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate.". Rating: command pilot Flight hours: more than 2,100, including 146 combat hours Aircraft flown: T-3, T-37, T-38, F-15E, F/A-18F, F-35A, and F-16, Distinguished Flying Cross with valor device, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. 2015 Distinguished Graduate, Master of Science degree, Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College, Pa. 1. Myers said the administrative action was taken only in response to the dinner incident, not the other incidents described to OSI. SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany - Two B-1B Lancers from Dyess Air Force Base's 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, currently operating from Royal Air Force Fairford, England, conducted hot-pit refueling using the innovative Versatile Integrated Partner Equipment Refueling (VIPER) kit, at Spangdahlem AB Oct. 11. [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. 1 ago. Since then, the video been referenced in multiple military and aviation forums around the net. Saber Nation is driven by initiative and innovation by our most junior Airmen and our management and tolerance of risk at our most senior levels so we can fail fast and fail forward to succeed., An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. The 52nd MSG supports the mission of the 52nd Fighter Wing and more than 9,000 Airmen stationed at Spangdahlem. Further, he supervises the support of the 31,000 local military retirees and 29 geographically separated units across nine states.". ", What the fuck is motivational mission accomplishment and. A posting on Spangdahlems Facebook page said that Col. Joseph D. McFall will rejoin the Sabers next month, referring to the wings moniker. Maybe O'Mally's approach to announcing what has to have been heartbreaking news for Kotnik, regardless of the circumstances, stems from the fact that he helped mastermind and starred in the video below while serving as the Chief Weapons Instructor for the 35th Fighter Squadron, a unit based in South Korea. I can see your link when I view your user profile but I still don't see it in the AF subredditweird. Before the investigation concluded, Retka decided to retire several months earlier than originally planned, Myers said. Making mistakes is a part of life. from around the world. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. [11] On 15 April 1969, the squadron moved to Ph Ct Air Base (tail code: HK), South Vietnam. Prior to leaving your installation make sure you have emergency phone numbers with you such as the First Sergeant/Commander Support Staff at both your losing and gaining installations. The 480 TFS was therefore inactivated on 17 November 1971. From what I got from it he didn't make the flight line work enough weekends to meet sortie requirements. September 1998 August 1999, student, F-16 Initial Qualification Training, 308th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 4. Two months later, he took command of Spangdahlems 480th Fighter Squadron, under Retkas command. The Wing Commander's Proclamation ensures Saber families will take necessary measures to prevent home fires and continue to educate themselves on fire prevention safety measures. The rest are tools to accomplish that. The wing maintains and employs F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft in support of NATO and national defense directives. Hauck will be taking command over the 52nd Fighter Wing, which has a total population of 5,000 Airmen and civilian personnel. [17] In October 2010, the newly reactivated 480th FS deployed for the first time to Graf Ignatievo Air Base in Bulgaria to carry out training with Mikoyan MiG-29s of the Bulgarian Air Force. Retka reportedly said, Yeah, whats your number? but apologized after being corrected by his wing commander. In late September, Jordana Kennedy said in a memo to reviewing authorities that Retka should not be retained on active duty, and should be removed from command and leave the service. Its clear that this whole entire wing is flying in formation, and its apparent from your three consecutive trips to the finals of the Air Forces Spark Tank innovation contest, and it is truly impressive what youve done there. 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. Other pilots also engaged in steamrolling at the Kunsan dorms in the early 2000s, witnesses said, describing a frathouse-like atmosphere rife with pranks and heavy alcohol use that was more tolerated in the Air Force at the time. June 2017 June 2018, Vice Commander, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah. We still don't know what the cause was behind the firing, but it has come to our attention that the commander who did the deed made a very low-brow video with his squadronmates while deployed to Kunsan Air Base in Korea during the mid-2000s. I felt his pelvis, his privates, his everything into my backside, she told Air Force Times. 2023 Stars and Stripes. [9], In November 1967, a member of the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Capt. While at Da Nang Air Base, the squadron scored nine MiG kills. My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate.. July 2001 January 2003, F-16 Flight Examiner, Flight Commander, 22d FS Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. May 1997 September 1998, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla. 3. Here you'll find command name, phone numbers & websites. January 2003 - July 2004, student, U.S. Air Force Weapons Instructor Course, 16th . [I]f you want to understand my leadership style, it would be if its based on increasing combat capability, then youre doing the right thing and keep doing it. If not, lets talk and lets work on trying to get better while taking care of our airmen and families, he added. Spangdahlem's previous wing commander, Col. Peter M. Bilodeau, was relieved of duties in late December, less than six months on the job. Browse or search for Major Units at Spangdahlem AB. 2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. 2004 Distinguished Graduate, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev. 2005 Masters degree in business administration, Trident University, distance learning program, 2005 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence, 2009 Distinguished Graduate, Master of Science degree, Special Operations & Low Intensity Conflicts, Naval Postgraduate School. The 480th TFS were the first squadron to shoot down a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 during the Vietnam War. Wing commanders put on their star halfway through their two year stunt like clockwork from what I've witnessed. I checked the new tab and didn't see anything. But some access roads were cut off by the water and landslides, base and local officials said. Commenters on the air base's Facebook page posted a few images of streets and backyards full of brown water. 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. Misawa's group commander was fire as well for being too family oriented. United States Air Force Europe (19621963), United States Air Force Europe (19761994), Last edited on 18 December 2022, at 14:14, United States Air Forces in Europe Air Forces Africa, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, 580th Air Resupply and Communications Group, 366th Fighter Bomber Wing (later 366th Tactical Fighter) Wing, "480th Fighter Squadron Embraces the Spirit of the Lafayette Escadrille", "480th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) July 1942 - May 1944", "480th Fighter-Bomber Squadron August 1957 - April 1959", "480th Tactical Fighter Squadron (France) April 1962 - February 1966", "480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, a Brief History", "480th activated as Spangdahlem's newest F-16 squadron", "480th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Southeast Asia) February 1966 - November 1971", "480th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Spangdahlem) November 1976 - April 1994", "U.S., Bulgarian air forces partner for training", "Precision and Purpose: Airpower in the Libyan Civil War", "480th Fighter Squadron deploys in support of Operation New Dawn", "Last F-16s out provide joint support for Iraq", "U.S. pilots plant SEAD with Turkish counterparts", "480th Fighter Squadron deploys to Afghanistan", "US Forces in Poland strengthen NATO partnerships during aviation rotation", "PRESS RELEASE: Air Force releases investigation results on F-16C crash", "Accident General Dynamics F-16CJ-50-CF 91-0366/SP, 11 Aug 2015", "480th FS deploys in support of Operation Inherent Resolve", "480th FS returns from Operation Inherent Resolve", "Power loss, bad weather caused Spangdahlem F-16 crash in Germany, Air Force says", "480th EFS improves interoperability, strategic partnerships at Blue Flag 2019", "U.S. European Command Force Posture Policy Press Conference: Secretary Esper's Opening Statement (as prepared)", "The U.S. Air Force will relocate the 480th Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem Air Base to Aviano Air Base", "Plans to Draw Down in Germany on Hold as New Administration Considers Options", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=480th_Fighter_Squadron&oldid=1128123844, 19421944; 19511956; 19571959; 19621971; 19761994; 2010present, Activated on 30 April 1962 (not organized), 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, 10 October 1966, McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II (19681971; 19761979), McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II (19791987), McDonnell Douglas F-4G Wild Weasel V (19831991), This page was last edited on 18 December 2022, at 14:14. American Forces Network - Spangdahlem Army and Air Force Exchange Service Defense Commissary Agency Department of Defense Education Activity Detachment 17, 372nd Training Squadron Detachment 518, Air Force Office of Special Investigations USAFE Operator The Public Affairs office is unable to redirect calls or provide phone numbers. Spangdahlem AB Avionics Flight gets vital system back in the sky Air Force Brothers in Arms Reunited After 15 Years Air Force Headlines US Department of Defense delivers field hospital to Trkiye DAF establishes policies to increase access to non-covered reproductive health care DAF hosts 3rd Virtual Women's Air and Space Power Symposium [10] The reformed squadron retained the primary SEAD role of its previous incarnation. from around the world. Immediately afterward, Kennedy told investigators and Air Force Times, she felt a man forcefully rub against her buttocks. [9] Post-Desert Storm, the squadron's F-4Gs were transferred over to the 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron leaving the 480th as a sole F-16 unit. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. Its really devastating, said Malu Dreyer, governor of Rhineland-Pfalz state, which includes Spangdahlem. I'm going to guess he failed a PT test. Jennifer reports on the U.S. military from Kaiserslautern, Germany, where she writes about the Air Force, Army and DODEA schools. Pentagon officials announced earlier this month that Spangdahlem would gain about 10 CV-22 Ospreys and 10 MC-130J aircraft, together with associated personnel from the 352nd Special Operations Group at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. Press J to jump to the feed. But his family has lived in the region for 400 years and he refuses to be driven away even. [12], In late 1983, the 480th TFS, along with the entire 52nd TFW, was tasked with the Wild Weasel mission, being equipped with eight F-4G Advanced Wild Weasels and 16 F-4E Phantom IIs. Spangdahlem Wing commander relieved of command : AirForce 28 votes, 23 comments. All Rights Reserved. [27], In April 2013, the 480th EFS deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, for six months to support Operation Enduring Freedom. (Senior Airman Arielle Vasquez/Air Force) An inspector general report released Thursday found Brig. October 2009 July 2011, Deputy Operations Group Commander, 33rd Operations Group, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The 52nd Fighter Wing held a change of command ceremony at Hangar 1 here July 15. Maj. Spangdahlem received F-35s from the 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; KC-135s from the 92nd Air Refueling Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.; and six EA-18 Growlers from the Navy's Electronic Attack Squadron 134 (VAQ-134) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. Hubert has been vice commander since July 2013. USAFE-AFAFRICA commander Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian said Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, that moving Spangdahlem's 480th Fighter Squadron from Germany to Aviano Air Base, Italy, could take some time.. As the 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, Roberson oversees 10 wings in Europe and one air expeditionary wing within USAFE. 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. The base authorized a four-hour delay Wednesday night for personnel coming to work the next day, after rainfall over 12 hours equaled the average for the entire month of July. A combat pilot, hes accumulated more than 2,500 flying hours in the F-16. 8. The venue was crowded, he said, and he turned his body sideways to move through a group of people. Saber Nation, I know we are going to face trials and tribulations, but we will continue to conquer them and be 100% mission-ready, whether that be to execute the dynamic force employment on the fly or lead the Air Force in Agile Combat Employment with multi-functional Airmen advancement, Hauck said. 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. [I]f you want to understand my leadership style, it would be if its based on increasing combat capability, then youre doing the right thing and keep doing it. If not, lets talk and lets work on trying to get better while taking care of our airmen and families, he added. Others will find it unbecoming of the positions and responsibilities of some of the people most prominently featured in it. The culture within the USAF has changed to some degree since its inception, but it stands as an incredibly stark reminder that really talented and valuable people can make really dumb decisions. Col. Steven Lamb, 52nd Mission Support Group commander, gives his first remarks during the 52nd MSG change of command ceremony, July 26, 2022, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. For example, the 52nd has increased rotational missions in Poland as part of EUCOMs push to bolster the military presence in the region. Air Force Col. Joseph D. McFall, left, presents the Legion of Merit to Col. Kelly S. Passmore, at a change of command ceremony on June 10, 2014, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency. 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. Retka declined to comment, according to USAFE. The 52nd FWs main priorities are deterrence, agile combat employment, and integrated base defense. Col. Anthony Retka, former commander of the 52nd Operations Group at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, passes the guidon to incoming 480th Fighter Squadron Lt. Col. Patrick Kennedy during a change of command ceremony on July 3, 2019. Witnesses also revealed that in 2004, while he was a captain deployed to Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, Retka engaged in a prank called steamrolling, barging naked into sleeping pilots dorm rooms and rolling over them in bed until they woke up. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. David Epperson, 52nd Fighter Wing outgoing commander, makes his final remarks during the 52nd FW Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. 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. 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. 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. [30], On 30 May 2014, the 480th FS deployed in support of 52nd OG Det 1 at ask for two weeks. Schneider's farm is 600 meters (2,000 feet) from Spangdahlem's runway, and the noise makes him ill. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes). 6. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes). from around the world. U.S. Air Force Col. Timothy Trimmell, 52nd Maintenance Group commander, left, gives the ceremonial guidon to Lt. Col. Brian Scozzaro, incoming 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, during the 52nd AMXS Change of Command Ceremony at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, July 26, 2019. 2022Recurrent Ventures. This new way of operating is still developing, but with the innovation and flexibility in your blood, Saber Nation leads the way in this new way of fighting, and the rest of us are following you.. Myers said retiring was Retkas choice, and that he was not ordered or pressured to retire early. [26] On 9 November 2012, the 52nd OG set up a detachment (52nd OG Det 1) at ask Air Base in Poland. 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. Upon assuming command in July, Bilodeau shared his leadership style with the airmen who would serve under him. Col. Peter M. Bilodeau was removed by Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, the commander of 3rd Air Force. 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. 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. Hauck comes from Aviano Air Base, Italy, where he served as the commander of the 31st Operations Group. Im proud to serve with them, and Im inspired by them. Hauck, a pilot with over 2,400 hours flying in F-16s, including 285 combat hours in Operation Enduring Freedom, is a 1998 graduate of the Air Force Academy. Work Philosophy: Do your best every day, and if you routinely get the small things right, the big things will take care of themselves. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets Commander, 52d Munitions Maintenance Group, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany Colonel THOMAS GRAHAM Commander, 52d Operations Group Colonel LESLIE F. HAUCK III Commander, 52d Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany Colonel STEVEN N. LAMB Commander, 52nd Mission Support Group Colonel WILLIAM H. McKIBBAN The 52nd FW, an operational unit under the 3rd Air Force, maintains, deploys and employs F-16 and TPS-75 radar systems and $2.5 billion of United States Protection Level 1 assets in support of NATO and the national defense directives, according to the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melody W. Howley) Spangdahlem Fire Department light up Fire Prevention Week Published Oct. 8, 2020 By Senior Airman Melody W. Howley (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kyle Cope), U.S. Air Force Col. Timothy Trimmell, 52nd Maintenance Group commander, left, Lt. Col. Brian Scozzaro, incoming 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, middle, and Lt. Col. John Szczepanski, outgoing 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, right, sing the Air Force song at the conclusion of the 52nd AMXS Change of Command Ceremony at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, July 26, 2019. We will develop, care and continue to be innovative as Airmen.. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets [33], On 7 April 2016, the 480th EFS deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve,[34] returning to Spangdahlem on 12 October. 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. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. 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. Community for current and past members of the US Air Force. Air Force officials in Europe said at the time that. It was exciting to have the first female demo team pilot here at Shaw, but Im also just as excited about the many other females that are serving with great distinction across our Air Force. Jordana Kennedy provided a copy of the investigation report to Air Force Times, which corroborated the report provided by another source. The wing supports the Supreme Allied Commander Europe with mission-ready personnel and systems providing expeditionary air power. I would like to see a legit answer why this guy was shitcanned rather than this run-on full o' buzzwords. It was assigned to Air Defense Command and equipped with North American F-86 Sabre aircraft. Born in Peoria, Ill., he graduated from DODEAs now-defunct Frankfurt American High School.