TACAMO wing CO fired amid investigation?

2015-03-18T13:05:48-04:00

The commodore of the Navy's Strategic Communications Wing 1, based at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, was fired Tuesday after a loss of confidence in her ability to lead. Capt. Heather Cole had "not performed up to the high standards demanded of an officer in command," Naval Air Forces said in a press release.

Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, the AIRFOR boss, relieved Cole of command of the wing and Task Force 124, an operational command post that reports to U.S. Strategic Command.

The relief stemmed from an investigation Shoemaker launched in February based on revelations of significant issues within the wing, said Cmdr. Jeannie Groeneveld, AIRFOR spokeswoman.

Cole's shortcomings were professional in nature, she said, and unfolded over time, adding that she could not comment further as the investigation has not been completed.

"The relief was due to deficiencies in her performance that were identified in the findings of the investigation," Groeneveld said. The deficiencies had nothing to do with TF-124's Strategic Nuclear Forces mission, she said, but instead were "cultural issues" within the wing itself.

Cole has been temporarily assigned to the San Diego-based staff of AIRFOR pending the outcome of the investigation.

Attempts to immediately reach Cole via phone and email were unsuccessful Tuesday, after the Navy announced the relief.

Capt. Brian McCormick, who has served as the task force's deputy commander, has been named the acting wing commander.

The post answers to two masters. Strategic Communications Wing 1 reports to AIRFOR on the manning and training of the E-6B Mercury squadrons that fly the airborne command post.

The wing's operational side, Task Force 124, is part of the nuclear command and control echelon and reports to U.S. Strategic Command on missions like Airborne Command Post, the Airborne Launch Control System, the Non-Strategic Nuclear Forces Theater Commanders and the "Take Charge and Move Out" (TACAMO) Emergency Action Message relay.

A native of Ferris, Texas, Cole is a graduate of the University of Texas and received her commission through Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, in 1990. She received her wings in 1991, according to her official bio.

Cole, a naval flight officer, served first in P-3 aircraft at various assignments until she transitioned to the TACAMO community in 1993.

She also served as the aviation initial assignment detailer, first in Washington, D.C., and then making the move to Millington, Tennessee, in 1999 when Navy Personnel Command relocated there. From 2000 to 2003, Cole served as the operations administrative officer aboard the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman.

http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2015/03/17/navy-tacamo-co-cole-fired-investigation-cultural/24915989/

TACAMO wing CO fired amid investigation

Capt. Heather Cole was removed from command of Strategic Communications Wing 1 after a report uncovered problems with her professionalism.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 2:13 PM

2015-03-18T14:13:40-04:00

The dreaded "loss of confidence" - seems to be the excuse of choice for getting rid of a commander!

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 18 at 2015 4:51 PM

2015-03-18T16:51:26-04:00

Good call, that's why we do investigations. I am sure those subordinates with which she had "cultural issues" with would undoubtedly agree as well.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Mar 20 at 2015 10:46 AM

2015-03-20T10:46:41-04:00

A less-breathless (and more credible, in my rarely humble opinion) explanation for her relief can be found in a Navy Times article linked to within the EU Times piece:

http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2015/03/17/navy-tacamo-co-cole-fired-investigation-cultural/24915989/

TACAMO wing CO fired amid investigation

Capt. Heather Cole was removed from command of Strategic Communications Wing 1 after a report uncovered problems with her professionalism.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Mar 20 at 2015 10:53 AM

2015-03-20T10:53:53-04:00

I believe that the EU story is probably a bunch of BS. The article posted by 1LT William Clardy is probably much closer to the truth.

I seriously doubt that either the US or the UK planned an unprovoked nuclear strike against Russia.

Response by CPO Tena Slason made Mar 20 at 2015 11:02 AM

2015-03-20T11:02:56-04:00

Hello Paul - Investigation not over - have some respect!

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 20 at 2015 12:02 PM

2015-03-20T12:02:27-04:00

LOL, my bet is the Russians got their information from the Duffleblog

It appears she was canned for a host of reasons much more mundane than failure to launch a nuclear first strike.

Much to do about nothing

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 12:05 PM

2015-03-20T12:05:40-04:00

This read like some sort of 1980's Pravda article. I'm just going to call BS on the EU Times here.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 12:15 PM

2015-03-20T12:15:53-04:00

I'm just astonished that U.S. Service-members actually believe there was a Presidential order to nuke Russia. Believing that is lunacy #checkheadspaceandtiming.

The question cannot even be answered? Should she have been relieved? The facts are not even public.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 12:16 PM

2015-03-20T12:16:02-04:00

No proper authentication = no valid order.

If this actually occurred it was probably an exercise. And I emphasize IF she was correct.

Note: subsequent posting indicate she was not relieved for this incident.

Response by SSgt Tim Ricci made Mar 20 at 2015 12:22 PM

2015-03-20T12:22:44-04:00

Way to many discrepancies in the article. Navy.mil States Relieved for loss of Confidence, not related to the Nuke mission but in Cultural issues

Response by Sgt Richard Martin made Mar 20 at 2015 1:00 PM

2015-03-20T13:00:48-04:00

This is just another attempt by Beaurecrats that have no idea wha the military is. They do not respect us as we don't respect them for their lack of leadership. I am wondering the worthiness of the news article; however, since when are we starting World War III?? First I hear of this!!!

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 20 at 2015 1:08 PM

2015-03-20T13:08:33-04:00

The linked article seems like the kind of thing right out of a Tom Clancy novel.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 20 at 2015 1:12 PM

2015-03-20T13:12:48-04:00

I aint buying this story, nope aint gonna do it!

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Mar 20 at 2015 1:13 PM

2015-03-20T13:13:48-04:00

I certainly would consider the source. Russians are the most trustworthy when it comes to news and they need as much deflection away from the Ukraine situation as they can get.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 20 at 2015 1:22 PM

2015-03-20T13:22:45-04:00

I went and looked at a few of the other articles related to relieving Captain Cole of her command. The two things that stand out the most are:
1) The investigation into her conduct and leadership is still ongoing
2) Relieving her of command was not related to the Nuclear Forces Mission of her wing

The STRATCOMMWING One website does not have any information on the incident at all. It just lists the current chain of command listing a Captain Brian McCormick as the Acting Commander.

http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2015/03/17/navy-tacamo-co-cole-fired-investigation-cultural/24915989/

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/03/18/navy-strategic-air-wing-commander-fired.html

TACAMO wing CO fired amid investigation

Capt. Heather Cole was removed from command of Strategic Communications Wing 1 after a report uncovered problems with her professionalism.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Mar 20 at 2015 2:49 PM

2015-03-20T14:49:06-04:00

without all the info, I would not be able to make an informed decision.

Response by MSgt Darren Osier made Mar 20 at 2015 3:31 PM

2015-03-20T15:31:01-04:00

All this 10 days before her already approved retirement date.

Response by TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn made Mar 20 at 2015 6:21 PM

2015-03-20T18:21:58-04:00

Just Obama getting rid some more of our military that he does't like.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 6 at 2018 9:33 PM

2018-09-06T21:33:06-04:00

Didn’t realize Tacamo was still in business.