Shes had previous assignments for Stars and Stripes in Japan, reporting from Yokota and Misawa air bases. ", What the fuck is motivational mission accomplishment and. Sgt. This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency. Szczepanski received the medal for his accomplishments as the 52nd AMXS commander. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets This is an official snapshot of his career: 1996 Bachelor of Arts degree, Communications, Brigham Young University, Utah. 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. 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]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. Bilodeau, a Distinguished Flying Cross recipient, flew F-16s at Spangdahlem for nearly three years in the late 1990s, when he served as an instructor pilot and assistant chief of weapons for the 23rd Fighter Squadron. Kotnik, but shes surrounded by wingmen that will help her every step of the way. [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. [32] The pilot ejected safely. Epperson, also an F-16 pilot, assumed command of the wing in September 2019. Let's just hope Captain Kotnik is being treated with the same understanding as her commanding officer apparently was some 15 years ago. The wing is comprised of more than 5,500 military and civilian personnel. The base authorized a four-hour delay Wednesday night for personnel coming to work the next day, after rainfall over 12 hours equaled the average for the entire month of July. . Col. Peter M. Bilodeau, who assumed command of the wing in July, was removed by 3rd Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, according to a U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa release. Community for current, future, and past members of the US Air Force. But his family has lived in the region for 400 years and he refuses to be driven away even. [27], In April 2013, the 480th EFS deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, for six months to support Operation Enduring Freedom. 2023 Stars and Stripes. [28][29] The pilots who did not deploy were effected by the 2013 United States budget sequestration which led to a loss of multiple flying currencies, these weren't regained until August 2013 when flying resumed. The past year has been a busy one for the wing, which has been a part of U.S. European Commands efforts to reassure allies in eastern Europe in the wake of Russian aggression in Ukraine. On Tuesday, Dec. 30, Bilodeau was relieved of command and Hubert, the wing vice commander, was again named interim commander. Col. David Epperson, left, the 52nd Fighter Wing's outgoing commander, and Col. Leslie Hauck, the incoming commander, listened to opening remarks from Maj. Gen. Randall Reed, 3rd Air Force commander, during the wing's change of command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. 0 0 Less than a minute. [11] On 15 April 1969, the squadron moved to Ph Ct Air Base (tail code: HK), South Vietnam. Since then, the video been referenced in multiple military and aviation forums around the net. Before Stripes, she worked for daily newspapers in Wyoming and Colorado. cancer woman and virgo man compatibility 2021 . Hubert has been vice commander since July 2013. [4] It was inactivated on 1 May 1944 while based at Lake Charles Army Air Field. In 1979, the Warhawks converted to the F-4E Phantom II. I can see your link when I view your user profile but I still don't see it in the AF subredditweird. (Melody Howley/U.S. Several witnesses said Retka then regularly engaged in the steamrolling pranks, sometimes while naked, the report said. Hubert has been vice commander since July 2013. 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. [17] In October 2010, the newly reactivated 480th FS deployed for the first time to Graf Ignatievo Air Base in Bulgaria to carry out training with Mikoyan MiG-29s of the Bulgarian Air Force. For example, the 52nd has increased rotational missions in Poland as part of EUCOMs push to bolster the military presence in the region. [37] The 480th EFS deployed to Uvda Air Base in Israel between 3 and 14 November 2019 to participate in Exercise Blue Flag 2019. 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. 2023 Stars and Stripes. An official website of the United States government, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. While at Da Nang Air Base, the squadron scored nine MiG kills. It was assigned to Air Defense Command and equipped with North American F-86 Sabre aircraft. 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. Kotnik make mistakes, I want them to have the opportunity to learn from them without being under public scrutiny, and to continue to be a part of this great service. New commander brings passion to Spangdahlem. Ali Stewart) Its really devastating, said Malu Dreyer, governor of Rhineland-Pfalz state, which includes Spangdahlem. 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. Col. Peter M. Bilodeau was removed by Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, the commander of 3rd Air Force. The release did not say when a full-time commander will be selected. At least 165 people were reported dead as of Monday evening, according to the German publication Deutsche Welle. 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.. Emergency Assistance Associated . Bilodeau, who was removed by Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, the commander of the 3rd Air Force, was not relieved for any misconduct or wrongdoing, according to USAFE. 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. 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. Before the investigation concluded, Retka decided to retire several months earlier than originally planned, Myers said. June 2014 June 2015, student, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pa. 14. 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. All Rights Reserved. He has covered stories for Stripes throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Afghanistan. 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.. Retka reportedly said, Yeah, whats your number? but apologized after being corrected by his wing commander. June 2012 June 2014, Commander, 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev. 13. Melody W. Howley), U.S. Air Force Col. David Epperson, 52nd Fighter Wing outgoing commander, makes his final remarks during the 52nd FW Change of Command ceremony July 15, 2021, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. [22] But on July 3, exactly two months after the incident at the dinner, Kennedy took command of the 480th Fighter Squadron. This new way of operating is still developing, but with the innovation and flexibility in your blood, Saber Nation leads the way in this new way of fighting, and the rest of us are following you.. During this time it was equipped with the North American F-100D/F Super Sabre and Republic F-84 Thunderjet. On 1 July 1958, the unit was redesignated the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron (480th TFS). Commenters on the air base's Facebook page posted a few images of streets and backyards full of brown water. Air Force officials said the base sustained no significant damage from the heavy rainfall. [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. 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 Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets 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. Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. Kennedy said she is satisfied with how the investigation proceeded. His retirement ceremony was held Jan. 6 at Spangdahlem. The 52nd Fighter Wing held a change of command ceremony at Hangar 1 here July 15. 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. [9] Post-Desert Storm, the squadron's F-4Gs were transferred over to the 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron leaving the 480th as a sole F-16 unit. Quoting the 3AF/CC "My primary focus remains on motivational mission accomplishment, compassionate care of Airmen and their families, and the drive to constantly improve and innovate. 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. Waters, last seasons Viper Demo pilot has resumed command, so the team is in great hands, and the show will go on. spangdahlem commander fired. I really hope that the Air Force can grow and move forward in a more positive environment. [4], In April 1987, the 480th began receiving the General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, initially operating it in tandem with the F-4G. Mike is a photographer in Kaiserslautern, Germany. OSI investigators also uncovered reports of more questionable activity by Retka over the years, particularly while he was deployed to Kunsan around 2004. 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. 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. Bilodeau was the vice commander of the 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Korea before coming to Spangdahlem, according to the Kunsan Air Base installation page. Upon assuming command in July, Bilodeau shared his leadership style with the airmen who would serve under him. 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. 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. 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. [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. Thats why I knew Col. Hauck and the Hauck family are a perfect match, the perfect fit, not just for the Saber Nation, but for the Eifel community here.. But some access roads were cut off by the water and landslides, base and local officials said. The wing includes about 5,000 military and civilian personnel, spread across nine sites in five countries. Lance Sijan, ejected from his disabled aircraft and was badly injured in North Vietnam. Air Force officials in Europe said at the time that.