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. 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Change of Command > Spangdahlem Air 1 ago. Press J to jump to the feed. Wing commander briefed the squadron and said it was that he and the group commander "lost faith in his ability to lead." 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. 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. Spangdahlem Fire Department light up Fire Prevention Week Commander That Fired First Female USAF Demo Team Leader Made This Crass 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. Air Force officials said the base sustained no significant damage from the heavy rainfall. On Tuesday, Dec. 30, Bilodeau was relieved of command and Hubert, the wing vice commander, was again named interim commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. The 480th TFS were the first squadron to shoot down a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 during the Vietnam War. Hauck comes from Aviano Air Base, Italy, where he served as the commander of the 31st Operations Group. May 1997 September 1998, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla. 3. [20][21] They flew their first sortie on 21 March 2011, tasked with SEAD. Bilodeau has been immersing himself into the Spangdahlem community and learning first-hand about the many missions of the . During his speech, Reed commended Spangdahlems Sabers for their leadership as Air Force innovators. But administrative actions can include letters of reprimand, admonishment or counseling. [9], On 20 October 1971, the 480th TFS flew its last combat mission, which was also the last combat sortie for 12th TFW. [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. Off-duty time is for: During my time off, my wife and I like to run, bike and travel. 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. Melody W. Howley). Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox. Col. Leslie Hauck accepted responsibility of the 52nd FW from Col. David Epperson in front of Airmen, local leaders and family, making him the 30th commander since its activation as the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing in December 1971. The wing is comprised of more than 5,500 military and civilian personnel. [39][40] The plans to move 480th FS have been put on hold as the new Biden administration looks to review the previous administrations plans to move the squadron to Italy.[41]. Here is the Colonel's letter announcing her dismissal: I removed Capt. The squadron's F-16s flew 2,259 sorties with a total of 9,000 flying hours during its deployment to Iraq. Public Affairs RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The commander of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, was relieved of command Dec. 30 due to a loss of faith and confidence in his leadership. Wing Commander Col. David Epperson took administrative action against Retka after the Office of Special Investigations completed its investigation last September, Gabe Myers, a spokesman for U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, said Tuesday. From what I got from it he didn't make the flight line work enough weekends to meet sortie requirements. The colonel asked the group, Did somebody just touch my butt? and Kennedy replied, Yeah, mine too, the report said. 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. Myers said retiring was Retkas choice, and that he was not ordered or pressured to retire early. Spangdahlem Wing commander relieved of command It was when Epperson saw his relief, Col. Leslie Hauck, doing the same thing that he knew the wing was in good hands, Epperson said at a change-of-command ceremony Thursday. August 2005 June 2008, F-16 Instructor, Assistant Director of Operations, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, 16th Weapons Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. 9. (SrA Marcus Morris/Air Force). [13], In 1993, the Warhawks became the USAF's first squadron to be equipped with the Block 50 F-16s, and was again tasked with the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). USAF's First Female F-16 Demo Pilot Relieved of Command After Only Two (Melody Howley/U.S. "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 the release. Spangdahlem's previous wing commander, Col. Peter M. Bilodeau, was relieved of duties in late December, less than six months on the job. [24][25], In March 2012, the 480th deployed to Konya Air Base to take part in Exercise Anatolian Eagle 2012 with the Turkish Air Force, practising SEAD. ", What the fuck is motivational mission accomplishment and. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets New commander takes charge of 52nd FW - Spangdahlem Air Base "My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of Airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate.". fairport senior ball 2020 spangdahlem commander fired. We will develop, care and continue to be innovative as Airmen.. Gen. Kristin Goodwin, former commandant of cadets at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs,. The video features song, dance, lots of talcum powder, and a big male genitalia puppet. Hauck is a command pilot with more than 2,400 hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, including 285 combat hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. As Saber Lead, Hauck now commands five groups, 23 squadrons and nine geographically separated units spread across five countries, with approximately 5,000 dedicated military and civilian personnel. A combat pilot, hes accumulated more than 2,500 flying hours in the F-16. He comes to Spangdahlem from Aviano Air Base, Italy, where he commanded the 31st Operations Group. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. The release did not say when a full-time commander will be selected. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. [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. This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency. Why would you put your privates beside my body?, She told investigators that Retka came up to her a few minutes later, apologized, and asked if they were OK, to which she responded Yeah, Tony, were good. The report quoted Kennedy as saying Retka then replied, Okay, good, because you were [indistinguishable] target. Kennedy told Air Force Times that Retka said she was the non-intentional target.. 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. Spangdahlem Wing commander relieved of command : AirForce [36] On 8 October 2019, F-16CJ 91-0340 crashed near Zemmer due to it suffering partial power loss while flying during bad weather, the pilot ejected with minor injuries. He is headed to the Pentagon to lead the Checkmate Division at Air Force headquarters. 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. He comes to Spangdahlem from Aviano Air Base, Italy, where he commanded the 31st Operations Group. The squadron relocated to Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base on 21 December 1962, where they remained until 1963 when the squadron was withdrawn from France upon request of French government, due to disagreements over the basing of nuclear-weapon capable F-100 Super Sabres on French soil. 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. Where and When you Joined the AF: I enlisted in Buffalo, New York, in 1996. U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Hokaj, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, gives a brief during the base Flight Commander's Leadership Course at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Dec. 1, 2020. I would like to see a legit answer why this guy was shitcanned rather than this run-on full o' buzzwords. 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. Theyll be better for the experience, and in turn, well be better as an Air Force. Ali Stewart) 2023 Stars and Stripes. from around the world. The wing maintains and employs F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft in support of NATO and national defense directives. Gallantry: Biden presents Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. 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The 52nd FW supports the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe with mission-ready personnel and systems providing expeditionary air power for suppression of enemy air defenses, counter air, air interdiction, and close-air support. Spangdahlem AB Base Essentials - Military OneSource What you do is truly inspiring, and its extremely important in this theater as we think of all of Europe and all of Africa and all of the challenges that are before us, Reed said. 152k members in the AirForce community. October 2009 July 2011, Deputy Operations Group Commander, 33rd Operations Group, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11.
