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. The current mission statement of the 52d Fighter Wing is to deliver Airpower options to deter and combat aggression. When people see the Airpower portion of this, they often times assume this means flying, but the mission goes well beyond that. Moving F-16s from the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem to Italy will better increase security along NATOs eastern flank and help preserve peace, Air Forces Europe said in a statement. Air & Space Forces Magazine is the official publication of the Air & Space Forces Association, 1501 Langston Boulevard, Arlington, Va., 22209-1198. U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 480th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, arrived here Nov. 12, to enhance U.S. Air Forces Central's ability to deter . Before the investigation concluded, Retka decided to retire several months earlier than originally planned, Myers said. My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate.. The wing has seen many people and aircraft come and go throughout the years, but one thing remains the same. July 2011 June 2012 Director of Operations, 422d Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. 12. He has also deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Noble Eagle. I really hope that the Air Force can grow and move forward in a more positive environment. 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. The highly classified documents are alleged to have been leaked by Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman. The wife was a member of the Key Spouses organization, where spouses of service members volunteer to help out the families of deployed airmen and anyone that could use a hand. Careerism and cronyism are a cancer in the Air Force that is causing retention issues, he said. It's stupid and maybe funny in an immature way, and I mean real immature. 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. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Wing commander relieved of post in Germany - airforcetimes.com The 52d Force Support Squadron (52 FSS) supports the wing with Airman & Family Services, Community services, Force Development, Manpower & Personnel and Sustainment services. Germanys delinquent, they havent paid their fees, they havent paid their NATO fees, he said, referring to NATOs stated goal for member nations to spend 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense. Theyre way off, and theyve been off for years and they have no intention of paying it. He went on to partake in the most prestigious opportunities the USAF has to offer its pilots. 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. His retirement leaves the operations group without a permanent commander until June, when his official replacement will assume command. He is also the base commander. The White House approved the reorganization in June, and Pentagon officials began briefing Congress last week. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. (SrA Marcus Morris/Air Force). September 1998 August 1999, student, F-16 Initial Qualification Training, 308th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz. 4. The 52nd FWs main priorities are deterrence, agile combat employment, and integrated base defense. After 20 years of war you think the Air Force wouldve figured it out by now, he said. It was activated in 1948, but derives significant elements of its history from the predecessor Second World War 52nd Fighter Group, which is now the 52nd Operations Group, subordinate to the wing. Shortly after the Kennedys arrived and began chatting with other guests in the center aisle of the dining room, the report said, Retka walked up to the group and pinched or touched a male colonels rear end. Get your daily fix of Air Force news delivered right to your inbox every day. DOD is also rethinking its brick-and-mortar infrastructure amid fears that permanent bases could be vulnerable to attack. The wing maintains and employs F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft in support of NATO and national defense directives. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. Hauck will be taking command over the 52nd Fighter Wing, which has a total population of 5,000 Airmen and civilian personnel. Maybe some will think the video is humorous and just a product of servicemen and women blowing off steam while stationed half a world away from home. 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. -Agile Combat Employment Unfortunately, this airman may not the first to be served paperwork after a suicide attempt. The spouse then stepped down from the Key Spouse organization, but Widman continued to target her husband, CL said. Calling from Germany: Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Widmans removal from command comes as the Air Force struggles to confront a mental health crisis within its ranks, especially in the maintenance and security forces (the Air Force equivalent of military police) career fields. Brown Jr. told Congress on April 27. [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. The 52d Operations Support Squadron maintains and oversees all airfield management, air traffic control and ancillary services necessary to conduct more than 5,000 annual flight hours. 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. David Epperson, 52nd Fighter Wing outgoing commander, renders his final salute to the 52nd FW during the wings change of command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. But I quickly learned that the folks at the top of my chain did not care. Comm: 06565-61-1110 CL also recalled an incident when Widman retaliated against another airmans wife for trying to help the spouses of other airmen. If Congress agrees with the Air Forces request to retire 32 Block 20 F-22s as part of its fiscal 2024 budget, the aircraft be used as trainers a while longer, then stored for an undetermined period at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Bases Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) Boneyard in. A second Air National Guard unit has its first F-35s, as three of the fifth-generation fighters arrived at Truax Field, Wisc., on April 25. But the fact that the spouse got access to the orders set Widman off, CL recalled. Spangdahlem AB and the 52nd Fighter Wing have a rich history. It cost him a star. 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. Others will find it unbecoming of the positions and responsibilities of some of the people most prominently featured in it. Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. But at the same time, I wish I had [said] Tony, what is your goal? Based in Stuttgart, Germany, he previously worked for newspapers in New Jersey, North Carolina and Maryland. 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. The Defense Department will move 11,900 people out of American military installations across Germany, Esper said, including 6,400 whose jobs would return to the U.S. I was done, no more dreams of commissioning and doing 20 years in the service. Kotnik, but shes surrounded by wingmen that will help her every step of the way. In 1987, the 52nd acquired F-16 Falcons and became the first wing to integrate F-16Cs with F-4Gs to form hunter/killer teams within individual fighter squadrons. Lt. Col. Michael Driscoll, who was deputy commander under Retka, is now the groups acting commander. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that an Air Force spouse was not fired but instead stepped down from a Key Spouse organization. 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. It is a slap in the face at a friend and ally when we should instead be drawing closer in our mutual commitment to deter Russian and Chinese aggression, Romney said in a statement. Kotnik from her position as the commander of the Viper Demo team yesterday, because I lost confidence in her ability to lead the team. A culture where respect, trust, accountability, and compassion guide our actions.. July 2004 August 2005, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, 35th FS, Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea. Theyll be better for the experience, and in turn, well be better as an Air Force. Medical evaluation boards help the Air Force determine if an airman is still physically able to continue serving in the branch. 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. The former commander of the 52nd Operations Group at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany was disciplined after an investigation into accusations that he rubbed his crotch against the rear end of a lieutenant colonels wife at a dinner last year. Additionally, they utilize combat-ready Airmen with 36 different Air Force career specialties, to oversee a $6.3 million operating budget and provide sustained support across 23 functional areas while maintaining 16 facilities. Waters, last seasons Viper Demo pilot has resumed command, so the team is in great hands, and the show will go on. We have thousands of Airmen across our Air Force serving our country, and not one of them is perfect. The change of command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit to a commanding officer. Her husband told investigators that Retka approached the group directly behind his wife and stood crowded subway close to her, which he described as awkward. I cant give names but I can say that I witnessed the results of her trying to break him, he went on. 52nd Fighter Wing Mission Statement: Here is the Colonel's letter announcing her dismissal: I removed Capt. The 52nd was reactivated on 18 August 1955 and designated 52nd Fighter Group (Air Defense). (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Commanders are taking appropriate action as information becomes available, the Air Force said. of the Air Force JoAnne Bass, said she was looking into an incident of an airman in Colorado who was sent a Letter of Reprimand and a Letter of Counseling shortly after attempting suicide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. 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. classified documents that were leaked on the internet, Allies criticize U.S. handling of top-secret documents after massive leak. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. 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 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. Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. As the 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, Roberson oversees 10 wings in Europe and one air expeditionary wing within USAFE. The unit is based at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Randall Reed, Third Air Force commander (left), passes the guidon to Col. Leslie Hauck, 52nd Fighter Wing incoming commander July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. 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. 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.. June 2014 June 2015, student, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pa. 14. The 52d Contracting Squadron (52 CONS) provides agile contracting support and solutions for Spangdahlem Air Base, its GSUs, and deployed operations. Affected allied nations and NATO leaders were notified in the past few days, Esper said. 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. Without our airmen, our local community and our Allies, the 52d Fighter Wing would not be able to complete the mission or support these priorities. The airman said he was completely open with his leadership about mental health issues he was going through in the fall of 2020 and spring of 2021. 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. In Colonel O'Malley's case, this little sojourn into blue humor movie making didn't seem to hold him back much. For the New York Air National Guard unit, see, For World War II lineage and history, see, The emblem was updated 3 December 1996. Wolters said Spangdahlem's 52nd Civil Engineering Squadron could "move soonest, at a time to be determined," bound for Italy. In this particular instance, the 317 AMXS had a large deployment ready to go, but for whatever reason Widman authorized them to leave early for pre-deployment training, according to CL, which caused a bunch of logistical issues. And the United States has been taken advantage of on trade, and on military, and on everything else for many years, the president said. The 52nd Fighter Wing held a change of command ceremony at Hangar 1 here July 15. When that trust is lost it affects good order and discipline, unit cohesion and ultimately risks mission accomplishment.. She spoke with Air Force Times Jan. 9 and agreed to be identified by name. Russia Continues Dangerous Flights in Syria, Risking International Incident, Wisconsin Guard Wing Accepts First 3 F-35s, 18 KC-135s Line Up at MacDill, as USAFs Surge in Elephant Walks Continues, USAF Analysis: China Hopes The US Cant Afford Enough B-21s to Make A Difference, Air Force Will Look at CV-22, New Army Helicopter for Long-Range Combat Search and Rescue, New Wing at Davis-Monthan Will Include MC-130s, Light Attack CSAF Says, Northrop Says Its Premature For Australia to Buy the B-21But Maybe Later, Air Force Suspends Leaders of Unit Involved in Classified Document Leak. Australia says it wont buy the B-21 bomber, but Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden said it may still be on the table when the program is more mature. On Tuesday, Dec. 30, Bilodeau was relieved of command and Hubert, the wing vice commander, was again named interim commander. 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.. The 52nd has always been prepared to SEEK ATTACK DESTROY. The 52d Communications Squadron (52 CS) provides war-ready Airmen, communications capabilities, and cyber services to sustain Saber operations and Air Force power projection anytime, anywhere. Let's just hope Captain Kotnik is being treated with the same understanding as her commanding officer apparently was some 15 years ago. But administrative actions can include letters of reprimand, admonishment or counseling. As the wings director of staff, Lt. Col. Kennedy had been working directly for former wing Commander Col. Jason Bailey. On 1 April 2017, the 606th Air Control Squadron, Detachment 1 was inactivated at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany following the relocation to Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 52nd Fighter Wing (52 FW) is a wing of the United States Air Force stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. The commander of the 102nd Intelligence Support Squadron, part of the Massachusetts Air National Guard in which the 21-year-old Teixeira served, was suspended from his leadership position, as was . When it comes to innovative thinking, you are the benchmark that all the rest of my wings measure against. The detachment commander who was suspended was in charge of overseeing administrative support for airmen at the unit, the Air Force said. 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. Ramstein Air Base is unaffected, DOD officials said. They reveal details of U.S. spying on Russias war machine in Ukraine and secret assessments of Ukraines combat power, as well as intelligence about Americas allies, including South Korea and Israel. This was unfortunate because theyre both wonderful people, but theyve continued to persevere despite it. Spangdahlem AB and the 52nd Fighter Wing have a rich history. The base primarily handles C-17 and C-5 aircraft that carry fully equipped, combat-ready military units to any point in the world on short notice and provide field support to sustain the fighting force. Money Minute, What's next for experimental AI projects in the C4ISR sphere, Russians seem to be baiting US jets to dogfight in Syria, general says, Biden awards football trophy to Air Force Academy, Commanders suspended at base where alleged Pentagon leaker worked, Military sex assault reports rise, even as Army numbers fall. Retka said he was also carrying a tall glass of beer in front of him, and told someone else that Kennedy may have felt the glass against her. Maj. Gen. Randall Reed, commander of Third Air Force at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, presided over the ceremony. The remainder would be relocated elsewhere in Europe. 52nd Fighter Wing > Spangdahlem Air Base > Fact Sheets The 52d Contracting Squadron (52 CONS) provides agile contracting support and solutions for Spangdahlem Air Base, its GSUs, and deployed operations. I felt his pelvis, his privates, his everything into my backside, she told Air Force Times. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt.