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Two Top Air Force Officials to Leave
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ShareJune 05, 2008 12:57 PM
ABC News' Jonathan Karl reports:
A senior defense official confirms that the top two officials in the U.S. Air Force -- Chief of Staff Michael Moseley and Secretary Michael Wynne -- are soon to be fired.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates asked for the resignations after a blistering, and still classified, report on the screwup that resulted in nuclear fuses being sent to Taiwan. Said one official, "It's a very serious report that makes very serious allegations."
Another senior defense official told ABC News, "This is about holding senior officers to high standards of accountability. It's one of the most important things for the United States military."
The official says they are being fired because of "a pattern of leadership decisions" and lack of leadership.
The pattern includes:
- The accidental shipment of sensitive nuclear technology to Taiwan (this was "the last straw")
- the incident in September 2006 when the Air Force accidentally flew live nuclear bombs over U.S. airspace aboard a B-52.
- the $50 million public relations contract to promote the Thunderbirds that was improperly given to a retired AF general
- the statements of a top general that directly contracted Gates about spending on Air Force F-22s
This will be the second service secretary to be fired by Robert Gates. Last year, he fired Army Secretary Francis Harvey.
This news was first reported in the Air Force Times.
At a press gaggle, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino told reporters on camera, "The White House has not played any role" in this.
June 5, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (23)
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As for this particular situation having anything to do with Vice President Cheney and Haliburton, it is obsurd, neither have anything to do with it. All I can say is unless you have posted out to a MAF/LF, worked in a WSA or been put in any type of leadership or managment position over a missile base, you have not the slightest clue of the goings on. Remember, media only portray a quarter of the truth, and that is at its best.
Posted by: Anonymous | Jun 6, 2008 10:10:25 PM
My take is that, while you get big guys like Moseley gently putting down the Air Force, you get the little guys, like those following orders in the AOR, being court martialed, sanctioned and put in jail. This is like when they kill the bad guy in the movies... In other circumstances this will be considered treason. Guess this is the New Corporate America, where wars feed LLCs.
Posted by: Mara | Jun 6, 2008 7:51:54 AM
This is a sad day for the Air Force as there are many fine members of a truly exceptional organization that has over many years done amazing things in the defense of this country. This is no less true of the other services. The glee and vitrol displayed by many respondents here is just as sad a commentary on the character of this country today as is the events that spwaned them.
Posted by: Marc Sabin | Jun 5, 2008 4:14:11 PM
The blame game is going on. Everyone points the finger elsewhere.
Posted by: Kyle | Jun 5, 2008 2:16:34 PM
Angiee....
I researched Hillburton but didn't find anything. Try HAlliburton. Get a clue!!!!!!!!!!!!Oh wait.....never mind
Posted by: Frederick | Jun 5, 2008 1:59:20 PM
Incompetence again? Amazing.
Posted by: dan | Jun 5, 2008 1:56:08 PM
but, but, George W. said this was going to be our next military base. We were just getting a jump on things for him!
Posted by: DAVID NH | Jun 5, 2008 1:55:13 PM
You're kidding, right?
ACCIDENTAL? Can someone explain to me how you "accidentally" ship sensitive nuclear technology to Taiwan...???? What happened? Someone put the wrong zipcode on the FedEx package??? They misspelled TEXAS and spelled Taiwan instead because the package was supposed to go to Bush's ranch? Huh?
Posted by: Tim Bartell | Jun 5, 2008 1:47:58 PM
Nabi, you mean about $12K Per month (it depends upon his years of service). However, after 30+ years, it is probable that he earned it, notwithstanding the screwups in his last year.
Rep. Sestak (D-PA) is similar. He was fired as a Navy Vice Admiral (O-9) due to incompetence and poor command climate, but he retired as a Rear Admiral (O-8). He chooses to misrepresent his rank for political gain, however, as he often claims he is a retired Vice Admiral.
Posted by: Phil | Jun 5, 2008 1:47:16 PM
You mean there are fools even here thinking up anything they can to blame Bush or Cheney...Talk about being ridiculous... No opportunity escapes you, does it???
Posted by: Carl | Jun 5, 2008 1:44:16 PM
Wait...
they mistakenly sent nuke tech to taiwan and mistakenly flew live nukes of the u.s.?
i think there might be something more to this than they are telling us.
Posted by: Steve | Jun 5, 2008 1:43:42 PM
ifi....Have you heard of Blackwater or Hilliburten. If not,research them, they have Cheneys figerprints all over them.
Posted by: newera | Jun 5, 2008 1:41:37 PM
And of course, you know that Adm Fallon is on record saying that Bush does not want war with Iraq.
Posted by: ifi | Jun 5, 2008 1:40:08 PM
Bush and Cheney should also be fired..They are the two fools that allowed the contract for the next Air Force air tankers contract to be given to the French..An $80 BILLION dollar screw up.The country has to suffer thru 227 more days,5448 hours of these two idiots.The worst presient and vice-president in 232 years of America history.
Posted by: sondog | Jun 5, 2008 1:38:35 PM
WELL ITS ABOUT TIME THEIR CRACKING DOWN ON THE BUSH ADM THERE ALL GOING DOWN BUSH CHENEY ROVE ALL OF THEM CANT WAIT THEY WILL GET EVERYTHING THEY DESERVE OH DONT FORGET TO SEND MCSAME BUSH JR WITH THEM!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: ANGIE | Jun 5, 2008 1:38:20 PM
Pity, do you have evidence supporting your accusations?
Posted by: ifi | Jun 5, 2008 1:38:01 PM
Until you fire Cheney, this will keep happening. He's the one who pulls the strings. He is the dictator, these guys are being scapegoated. If they were truly guilty, they would have been promoted like Myers, Wolfowitz, Hayden, et. al. THAT is the hallmark of this administration. Incompetence IS competence. And voices of reson must be silenced and punished like Adm. Fallon.
Posted by: pity | Jun 5, 2008 1:35:50 PM
I was booted out of the Air Force, and yes I now have a better job. But before I was kicked out I was harrassed and maltreated. and forced to wash dishes for months. The Air Force is out of control, and no one is held responsible for his or her actions if you know the right people. These two guys need to lose all of their miliary retirement pay, and benefits.
Posted by: Disgruntled | Jun 5, 2008 1:35:45 PM
Luis Young - Obviously you do not comprehend the impact of being fired from the military of a DOD high profile position? Your last name says it all. General Moseley will most likely NOT retire as a 4-star General...It takes Senate approval to do so. Mostlikely he will retire quietly as a 3 star (about $12K per year) along with the stigma it carries. As for the Sec Of the Air Force...No CEO or 6-figure job for him...maybe he could be a greeter at Wal-Mart.
An Air Force Veteran
Posted by: Nabi | Jun 5, 2008 1:30:29 PM
These two officials should be in prison. Why are they not being prosecuted? Is this because they were doing the Administration's bidding?
Posted by: kallie | Jun 5, 2008 1:29:31 PM
This goes a tad beyond "oops" here...
Posted by: Hosfac | Jun 5, 2008 1:23:30 PM
Being fired in the military means he/she gets a better job........
Posted by: mrr | Jun 5, 2008 1:13:55 PM
Fired only - what a wash.
Posted by: Luis Young | Jun 5, 2008 1:03:43 PM
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