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. [4] It was inactivated on 1 May 1944 while based at Lake Charles Army Air Field. The 52nd FWs main priorities are deterrence, agile combat employment, and integrated base defense. 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. (A1C Branden Rae/Air Force). The 52nd Fighter Wing maintains, deploys and employs F-16 and TPS-75 radar systems in support of NATO and the national defense directives. At the time, Lt. Col. Kennedy was director of staff for the 52nd Fighter Wing. The squadron commander was the only person strong enough to break Retkas hold on the pilot, witnesses said. Base officials said about 50 members of the 52nd Civil Engineering squadron and others from the wing filled and delivered over 1,800 sandbags to the surrounding communities. Air Force officials in Europe said at the time that. 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. (SrA Marcus Morris/Air Force). 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. He is headed to. Commenters on the air base's Facebook page posted a few images of streets and backyards full of brown water. Colonel Derek "Maestro" OMalley is the commander for the 20th Fighter Wing. 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. On Tuesday, Dec. 30, Bilodeau was relieved of command and Hubert, the wing vice commander, was again named interim commander. Col. Anthony Retka, who retired earlier this month, was accused of abusive sexual contact against Jordana Kennedy, the wife of Lt. Col. Patrick Kennedy, at an off-base going away party in May 2019. 1 ago. [5], The unit was reactivated as the 480th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (480th FBS) on 25 September 1957 at England Air Force Base, Louisiana, as part of the 366th Fighter-Bomber Wing. Maj. New commander brings passion to Spangdahlem. Lt. Col. Michael Driscoll, who was deputy commander under Retka, is now the groups acting commander. [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. The release did not say when a full-time commander will be selected. Wing commanders put on their star halfway through their two year stunt like clockwork from what I've witnessed. According to the report, Retka, the Kennedys and other staff and family from the 52nd attended a farewell dinner for the former vice wing commander at the Schloss Neiderweiss restaurant on May 3. Two months later, he took command of Spangdahlems 480th Fighter Squadron, under Retkas command. Ali Stewart) On 1 July 1958, the unit was redesignated the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron (480th TFS). Szczepanski received the medal for his accomplishments as the 52nd AMXS commander. [32] The pilot ejected safely. 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 female officer at Spangdahlem told investigators that in October 2018, Retka tried to sidestep her authority by saying he would solve a particular issue with another male officer, and said, We will talk about this as men later, over cigars and scotch.. August 1999 July 2001, Assistant Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 389th FS, Mt Home AFB, Idaho, 5. from around the world. OSI investigators also uncovered reports of more questionable activity by Retka over the years, particularly while he was deployed to Kunsan around 2004. October 2009 July 2011, Deputy Operations Group Commander, 33rd Operations Group, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. All Rights Reserved. Kennedy said she is satisfied with how the investigation proceeded. May 1997 September 1998, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Vance AFB, Okla. 3. The mission of the 52nd Fighter Wing is to deliver airpower options to deter and combat aggression. 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Brian Scozzaro, incoming 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, during the 52nd AMXS Change of Command Ceremony at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, July 26, 2019. 210320-F-LH638-1120. 2022Recurrent Ventures. [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. [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. 480 TFS F-4Ds were originally scheduled for redeployment to Holloman AFB, however, instead were distributed to bases throughout Southeast Asia: Clark Air Base, Philippines; Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base and Udon AB, Thailand; Da Nang AB; and Inspection and Repair as Necessary facilities (IRAN) at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base Taiwan. About 30 . 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. It was assigned to Air Defense Command and equipped with North American F-86 Sabre aircraft. 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 video features song, dance, lots of talcum powder, and a big male genitalia puppet. Epperson, also an F-16 pilot, assumed command of the wing in September 2019. Hubert has been vice commander since July 2013. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes). He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations. Based in Stuttgart, Germany, he previously worked for newspapers in New Jersey, North Carolina and Maryland. During that assignment, he was chastised by his wing commander for making an inappropriate joke after a skit on sexual harassment. His most recent biography has been removed from the Spangdahlem Air Base website. I didnt want to make a big deal of it because the night had just started and I wanted to honor these nice people, Kennedy told Air Force Times. For example, the 52nd has increased rotational missions in Poland as part of EUCOMs push to bolster the military presence in the region. [30], On 30 May 2014, the 480th FS deployed in support of 52nd OG Det 1 at ask for two weeks. Col. Peter M. Bilodeau. [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). From what we can tell, even in the mid-2000s, this video caused quite a stir, although we are unaware at this time of the exact disciplinary actions taken by higher-ups in the chain of command. At least 165 people were reported dead as of Monday evening, according to the German publication Deutsche Welle. USAFE said Retka chose to retire several months earlier than expected. Before the investigation concluded, Retka decided to retire several months earlier than originally planned, Myers said. Emergency Assistance Associated . O'Malley, a highly accomplished fighter pilot, also oversees the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team that calls the base home, the same unit that Kotnik was relieved from. Where and When you Joined the AF: I enlisted in Buffalo, New York, in 1996. [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. Shes had previous assignments for Stars and Stripes in Japan, reporting from Yokota and Misawa air bases. It means nothing, and doesn't provide any answers. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts Log InSign Up User account menu 28 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. June 2014 June 2015, student, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pa. 14. [9], On 20 October 1971, the 480th TFS flew its last combat mission, which was also the last combat sortie for 12th TFW. 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. In Colonel O'Malley's case, this little sojourn into blue humor movie making didn't seem to hold him back much. My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate.. Even as I speak, another female pilot from the 20th Fighter Wing is flying combat missions in the Middle East. Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox. 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. He may get promoted early now. As good people, like Capt. 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. [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. 2015 Distinguished Graduate, Master of Science degree, Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College, Pa. 1. The 480th Fighter Squadron (480th FS), nicknamed the "Warhawks", is an active United States Air Force unit operating the General Dynamics F-16CJ Fighting Falcon.
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