Posted on Jan 25, 2015
AF Commander relieved 6 months after death occurred?
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Officials at Fort Bragg say a squadron commander has been relieved of her position based on the investigation of a July death at Pope Field.
The Fayetteville Observer reports Air Force Col. Elizabeth Shaw was removed from command of the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron on Thursday.
http://hamptonroads.com/2015/01/squadron-commander-fort-bragg-relieved-after-death
The Fayetteville Observer reports Air Force Col. Elizabeth Shaw was removed from command of the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron on Thursday.
http://hamptonroads.com/2015/01/squadron-commander-fort-bragg-relieved-after-death
Accountability
Death
Command
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 5
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Definitely a sad story. The unnecessary and likely preventable loss of life. And - on a much lower level - another "loss of confidence" relief.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
CW5 (Join to see), a lot of that going around. Makes one wonder, is it happening more, or are we just hearing about it more in the age of the instant media?
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- Agree with CW02 Reck that the article does not provide enough information to provide quality discussion on.
- Generically speaking, however, it is not unusual for a death investigation to take time, be completed, higher command digest that investigation, and then decisions made based upon the investigation. Six months later would not be unusual especially if autopsies, labs, and other investigative facts had to be established.
- Aside from the death investigation, a follow on 15-6 investigation might also have been conducted to look at potential surrounding issues such as command policies, SOPs, guidance, etc that might have directly or indirectly contributed to the airman's death that the Squadron Commander either should have known/implemented or that she knew/implemented in a negative manner.
- At the end of the day, the only things that the article states for a fact are that 1) a SSG died and that 2) a squadron commander was relieved for "loss of confidence in ability to command".
- Generically speaking, however, it is not unusual for a death investigation to take time, be completed, higher command digest that investigation, and then decisions made based upon the investigation. Six months later would not be unusual especially if autopsies, labs, and other investigative facts had to be established.
- Aside from the death investigation, a follow on 15-6 investigation might also have been conducted to look at potential surrounding issues such as command policies, SOPs, guidance, etc that might have directly or indirectly contributed to the airman's death that the Squadron Commander either should have known/implemented or that she knew/implemented in a negative manner.
- At the end of the day, the only things that the article states for a fact are that 1) a SSG died and that 2) a squadron commander was relieved for "loss of confidence in ability to command".
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
SPC (Join to see), I am away from a "real computer" right now so I can really look up the article I remember reading on it, the unit was not qualified to do the exercise they were running, HHQ had previously advised them not to do it. Once I get back to the house, I will see I can locate that one.
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CWO2 Shannon Reck, LTC Stephen C., COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM, CPO Don Alfera
Gents,
This isnt the article from a few months ago, but it is a much better written article with more details regarding the issue.
http://www.fayobserver.com/military/air-force-colonel-relieved-of-duties-after-fort-bragg-training/article_66a0c8d4-4518-57a0-8268-9287ac6a01af.html
Gents,
This isnt the article from a few months ago, but it is a much better written article with more details regarding the issue.
http://www.fayobserver.com/military/air-force-colonel-relieved-of-duties-after-fort-bragg-training/article_66a0c8d4-4518-57a0-8268-9287ac6a01af.html
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
Here is an AF Time article from Last month http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2014/12/08/humvee-accident-death-investigation-pope-army-airfield-timothy-wright/20104667/
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
SFC Mark Merino, I am pretty sure "opps" doesn't cut it, especially in a training scenario.
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