Air Force fires three commanders at South Texas base

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Pekarek, 47th Operations Group commander, speaks during the 47th OG Assumption of Command at Laughlin Air Force Base, Tx., June 22, 2017. U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Pekarek, 47th Operations Group commander, speaks during the 47th OG Assumption of Command at Laughlin Air Force Base, Tx., June 22, 2017. Photo: /U.S. Air Force Photo /Airman 1st Class Benjamin N. Valmoja Photo: /U.S. Air Force Photo /Airman 1st Class Benjamin N. Valmoja Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Air Force fires three commanders at South Texas base 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

The Air Force said Wednesday it had relieved three commanders at Laughlin AFB over incidents involving “dangerous behavior and a threatening environment.”

The Air Education and Training Command said it relieved Col. Charles Velino, the 47th Flying Training Wing commander, along with the base’s operations group commander and a flying training squadron commander.

“The prior command team chronically failed to appropriately care for people and the mission,” said AETC’s commander, Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, according to a press release. “They failed to correct an evolving situation that led to an environment where some airmen did not feel safe or respected.”

AETC reported that Kwast, who was at Laughlin as the day began, relieved the 47th Operations Group commander, Col. Robert Pekarek.

The Air Force would not identify the dismissed flying training squadron commander, citing privacy concerns. One Air Force official said a commander-directed investigation into the incident had been completed but was not being released pending disciplinary action.

Kwast determined the command team at Laughlin failed to take appropriate actions to respond to, correct and report incidents of officer misconduct at the pilot training base near Del Rio.

“By failing to address incidents of dangerous behavior and a threatening environment, irresponsible alcohol consumption, and disrespectful treatment of some students, these leaders did not establish and enforce a culture that upheld our Air Force core values,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty, commander of the 19th Air Force on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, ordered a preliminary inquiry after being made aware of misconduct allegations at the wing.

Subsequent investigations did not identify a wider trend of unhealthy command environments within 19th Air Force itself, the Air Force said.

The 19th Air Force oversees the training of more than 30,000 U.S. and allied students annually in specialties ranging from aircrews, remotely piloted aircraft crews, air battle managers, weapons directors,and Air Force Academy airmanship programs to survival, escape, resistance, and evasion specialists.

Kwast encouraged airmen to report unprofessional or inappropriate conduct through their chain-of-command or to their wing or AETC inspector general, saying “our airmen, families and the critical mission of the 47th FTW deserve engaged and effective leaders of the highest caliber consistent with our core values.

“Ultimately, every commander is responsible for enforcing good order and discipline and holding those accountable who do not live up to the professionalism we expect of our airmen,” he said. “The command team at Laughlin was not leading a healthy culture of accountability, dignity and respect.”

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