These criteria ensure that those who join have the right mental, physical and moral aptitudes to perform the tasks required for military service. Pissgate was just one example, Woodside said. The head of the California Air National Guard and one of its five wing commanders have been removed from their positions amid complaints of reprisals against whistleblowers and allegations of a cover-up of misconduct that reached into the highest ranks of the organization, officials announced Friday. (559) 515-6008 Fresno Guard pilots who step into an F-16 cockpit might risk their lives or carry in their hands the survival of others and the. Members of the 144ths security forces, who police the base, conducted two investigations, according to internal investigative records obtained by the Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Sikora did not respond to requests for comment Friday. She also signed off on the request to discard the evidence. News, Latest The complaints focused on the Guard's Fresno air base and included an incident in which someone urinated in a female Guard member's boots. Now the California Air National Guard faces coverup allegations. Magram attained the rank of assistant adjutant general and had been part of Baldwins inner circle. Nehring began his career as an enlisted crew chief before being selected as a pilot. Public File for KMAX-TV / Good Day Sacramento. Police investigating early morning homicide in Porterville, Child among 5 killed by drunk gunman still on loose: TX police, 1 missing, 2 rescued after getting swept away in Kaweah River. Gen. David Hawkins made antisemitic and homophobic slurs, including that Jews are unrepentant sinners and that gay marriage is a reason terrorists attack the United States. A general forced out as head of the California Air National Guard two weeks ago says the state Guard commander has lost touch with reality.. The command change follows a Los Angeles Times report on allegations that whistleblowers at the Guards Fresno base suffered reprisals for questioning actions or conduct, including an incident in which a female guardsman discovered urine in her boots. NORTH DIGHTON, Mass. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. When it comes to protecting U.S. Air Force's military assets, the responsibility falls on the Security Forces Defenders. The California air guard is the second largest in the Air National Guard, a force of more than 100,000 pilots, other officers and enlisted people. Among the other disclosures by The Times were the Guards use of a spy plane to monitor civilian protesters and fears in the ranks that it planned to deploy a fighter jet to frighten demonstrators. Both were inconclusive, and the case was closed. Allegations of retaliation against whistleblowers in the California National Guard are more widespread than the complaints made at a Fresno air base that led to a dramatic leadership shakeup of the organization earlier this month, The Times has found. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, urinated in a female Guard members boots, use of a spy plane to monitor civilian protesters, deploy a fighter jet to frighten demonstrators, The commander of the scandal-plagued California National Guard steps down, Californias top military brass rocked by homophobia, antisemitism, indecent exposure scandals, Turmoil shakes California National Guard with firing, suspension of top generals, California Guard members feared fighter jet would be ordered to frighten protesters, Spy plane was sent to monitor protest in affluent suburb, home to head of California National Guard, In California National Guard, whistleblower claims of retaliation go beyond Fresno, Head of California Air National Guard removed amid allegations of cover-up and retaliation, California Air National Guard removes commander over threats against whistleblowers, Must Reads: Someone urinated in a female sergeants boots. It's unfortunate that the young people in the California Air National Guard, our citizen soldiers, have to witness this type of activity that's occurring at the top, Bakos said Friday. Club One Casino Readies Move to Granite Park, Fresno Scandal Forces Out Air National Guard Commander, Fresno State Announces Class of 2023 Graduate Deans' Medalists. SACRAMENTO, Calif. Grand juries in Fresno and Sacramento have indicted eight current or former members of the California National Guard, in seven separate cases, charging them with wire fraud for fraudulently obtaining recruiting referral bonuses, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. The California Air National Guard says its top commander, Major General Clay Garrison, has been relieved of command and will be replaced by Brigadier General Gregory Jones. Members of the Guard described a "climate of retaliationand mistrust.