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. (Past three) Previous assignments: 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. USAFE would not say which administrative action was taken against Retka, citing the Privacy Act. 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. Community for current and past members of the US Air Force. Were looking forward to another amazing season with this team. [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. [7], In July 1963, the 480th TFS was reassigned to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, where it re-equipped with the McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II in 1965. 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. She turned her head and saw it was Retka, who walked away. June 2017 June 2018, Vice Commander, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah. 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. Air Force). 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. 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. 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. The venue was crowded, he said, and he turned his body sideways to move through a group of people. The colonel asked the group, Did somebody just touch my butt? and Kennedy replied, Yeah, mine too, the report said. IG found former academy commandant misused travel, had poor command 2022Recurrent Ventures. 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 It's stupid and maybe funny in an immature way, and I mean real immature. He has also deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Noble Eagle. Gallantry: Biden presents Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. Paris Davis for his heroics in Vietnam, US to send bridge-launching vehicles for tank deployments to Ukraine in new $400M aid package, Japan complains to US over Utah senators remarks on imprisoned Navy officer, Pentagon tells service members to stop displaying giant US flags at major events, Israels window to strike Iran narrows as Putin enters equation, Air Force command climate investigation ends with Okinawa commanders removal, Military, VA provide troops, vets more gun safety options to help reduce suicides, K-Town Now features the latest news from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. He is also the base commander. Maj. Gen. Randall Reed, commander of Third Air Force at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, presided over the ceremony. Shortly after publishing this piece, Colonel Derek 'Maestro' O'Malley gave us an exclusive and unprecedented in-depth interview in which we discuss the Gold Bon video, making mistakes, achieving redemption, and becoming a better leader because of it, as well as what goes into making a disciplinary decision for an Airman that has fallen into trouble. Spangdahlem Spins Up to Counter Russian Threat 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. Hubert has been vice commander since July 2013. [6], Three years later on 30 April 1962, the 480th TFS was reactivated again under United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. He comes to Spangdahlem from Aviano Air Base, Italy, where he commanded the 31st Operations Group. Spangdahlem Wing commander relieved of command 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. The release did not say when a full-time commander will be selected. Spangdahlem is home of the 52d Fighter Wing, which maintains, deploys and employs Lockheed Martin Block 50 F-16CJ and Republic A/OA-10 aircraft and TPS-75 radar systems in support of NATO and the national defense directives. Making mistakes is a part of life. It thrust me forward.. On Tuesday, Dec. 30, Bilodeau was relieved of command and Hubert, the wing vice commander, was again named interim commander. In Colonel O'Malley's case, this little sojourn into blue humor movie making didn't seem to hold him back much. June 2015 June 2017, Senior Military Advisor for Air Warfare Systems, Office of the Secretary of Defense, 15. Spangdahlem Air Base official The wing maintains and employs F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft in support of NATO and national defense directives. Biographies - Spangdahlem Air Base It was assigned to Air Defense Command and equipped with North American F-86 Sabre aircraft. Further, he supervises the support of the 31,000 local military retirees and 29 geographically separated units across nine states.". 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. Spangdahlem wing commander relieved of duty | Stars and Stripes Kotnik from her position as the commander of the Viper Demo team yesterday, because I lost confidence in her ability to lead the team. The unit is based at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. From what I got from it he didn't make the flight line work enough weekends to meet sortie requirements. 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. 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. 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. The wing also supports the Supreme Allied Commander by providing credible deterrence, delivering combat capabilities, executing joint reception, staging, onward movement, and integration, facilitating inter-theater airlift, and building partnership capacity. An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Epperson praised the wing, who look out for each other in the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Browse or search for Major Units at Spangdahlem AB. July 2001 January 2003, F-16 Flight Examiner, Flight Commander, 22d FS Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. 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. October 2009 July 2011, Deputy Operations Group Commander, 33rd Operations Group, Eglin AFB, Fla. 11. Lt. Col. Michael Driscoll, who was deputy commander under Retka, is now the groups acting commander. I would like to get my voice back, Kennedy said. 52nd Fighter Wing - Wikipedia 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. Spangdahlem group commander disciplined for inappropriately touching Misawa's group commander was fire as well for being too family oriented. New commander takes charge of 52nd FW - Spangdahlem Air Base [5] Tactical Air Command (1957-1959) [ edit] But his family has lived in the region for 400 years and he refuses to be driven away even. The commander of the 52d Fighter Wing is Colonel David J. Julazadeh. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. His retirement ceremony was held Jan. 6 at Spangdahlem. Colonel Derek "Maestro" OMalley is the commander for the 20th Fighter Wing. Col. Lars R. Hubert, the 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, was appointed interim wing commander. Spangdahlem AB Base Essentials - Military OneSource Epperson, also an F-16 pilot, assumed command of the wing in September 2019. Spangdahlem Air Base | Military Wiki | Fandom She spoke with Air Force Times Jan. 9 and agreed to be identified by name. Wing commanders put on their star halfway through their two year stunt like clockwork from what I've witnessed. [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 fighter wing changes command as heavy flooding strikes Spangdahlem AB to Keep F-16s, at Least for Now spangdahlem commander fired. 16. Air Forces are supposed to break shit and kill people. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. Leslie Hauck, 52nd Fighter Wing incoming commander, gives his first remarks during the 52nd FW Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.