The Air Force must fill two new top-level openings within Global Strike Command, after two commanders on Monday were relieved of duty following separate substantiated allegations of cruelty and sexism at Minot and F.E. Warren Air Force Bases, respectively. Col. Tracey Hayes, commander of F.E. Warren’s 90th Missile Wing, removed Col. Carl Jones from his position of wing vice commander after an investigation found that Jones cruelly mistreated an airman and displayed “conduct unbecoming of a gentleman,” according to a emailed statement provided on Tuesday to Weapons Complex Morning Briefing by command spokesperson Lt. Col. John Sheets.
The most recent of four allegations against Jones occurred in September 2014 and prompted an investigation into his conduct. According to the statement, the investigation found that the vice commander walked to an F.E. Warren AFB thrift shop, Airman’s Attic, to discuss shopping hour policies with store volunteers. Upon arrival, Jones proceeded to hit the sign on the shop door and “repeatedly hit the Airman Attic’s front counter while raising his voice,” cursing and threatening to “shut down” the thrift store. Directed by 20th Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Jack Weinstein, the investigation also resulted in Col. Michael Lutton, 91st Missile Wing commander, removing Lt. Col. Jimmy Brown, commander of Minot’s 741st Missile Squadron. According to the statement, Brown had made statements to subordinates “that created a perception within his squadron that pregnancy would negatively affect a woman’s career.” The investigation concluded that Brown engaged in “unlawful discrimination or harassment,” and several airmen had believed women within the squadron were, or would be, treated differently than men.
The disciplinary actions follow a revelation in March of widespread cheating of Malmstrom AFB missileers on their monthly proficiency tests, which resulted in the immediate firing of nine commissioned officers and resignation of Malmstrom commander Col. Robert Staley. In a subsequent effort to boost force morale, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James last summer announced personnel increases at five installations within the nuclear enterprise, with Minot and F.E. Warren to see the greatest staffing boosts, with 303 and 242 added positions, respectively. In a Tuesday phone interview with Weapons Complex Morning Briefing, Sheets said Lt. Col. Kenneth McGhee, previously the 91st Missile Wing Inspector General, will replace Brown. “They have a replacement who’s able to move in there quickly,” Sheets said. Meanwhile, Jones has been moved to 90th Missile Wing Headquarters, where he will serve as a special assistant to Hayes. Weinstein’s investigation also resulted in a written reprimand for 91st Operations Group Commander Col. Richard Pagliuco, who reportedly “failed to promote and safeguard the morale, well-being and welfare of the Airmen under his command,” according the command’s statement.
