Category: USAF

Wisconsin National Guard launches dedicated counsel program for sexual assault victims

On By AdministratorIn Army, Military Policy, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

National GuardWisconsin National Guard launches dedicated counsel program for sexual assault victims

MADISON, Wis. – Military sexual assault prevention and response programs have  gained attention over the past year as a Department of Defense report shows an  increase in reported sexual assaults. Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, Wisconsin  adjutant general, has made it clear the issue is a top priority in the Wisconsin  National Guard as well.

“There is no place for sexual assault in the  Wisconsin National Guard,” Dunbar said. “We will not look the other  way.”

Over the past few months, Dunbar and other senior Wisconsin  National Guard leaders have visited every Wisconsin National Guard unit and  facility to convey that simple, unmistakable message.

Currently, the  Wisconsin National Guard’s sexual assault prevention and response program  provides sexual assault and domestic violence victims with emergency response  assistance, counseling and therapy referrals, personal and systemic advocacy,  and access to applicable benefits. But as of Oct. 1, Wisconsin National Guard  members coping with the unthinkable crime of being sexually assaulted by a  fellow service member have a new advocate.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/116009/wisconsin-national-guard-launches-dedicated-counsel-program-sexual-assault-victims#.UnT-tiLD_mI

Attention all Airmen: AF holds sexual assault offenders accountable, convictions now online

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, USAFLeave a comment

USAF SealROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — You’ve heard a lot lately about the topic of sexual assault. You will continue to hear a lot about it in the weeks and months ahead. It’s important that each Air Force member understands the importance of the Air Force addressing and solving this real issue.

Each allegation of a criminal offense must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In court, the court members and military judge must exercise their independent judgment in determining the facts of a particular case and, if the accused is guilty, determine an appropriate punishment. When a person is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, it’s often possible to identify recurring themes and risks. In that way, we can all work together to protect ourselves, protect each other and combat the problem head on.

To this end, the Air Force now publishes sexual assault convictions online. Anyone can go to the website and review more than 100 sexual assault convictions from across the Air Force. After a few minutes of reviewing the facts of the cases that resulted in a conviction, you will soon see many cases are very similar – they involve: the use of alcohol; the absence of personal respect for the victim; and the absence of the victim’s consent.

 

Air Force lawyers draw fire over sexual assault policy

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

USAF SealAir Force lawyers draw fire over sexual assault policy

Top Air Force lawyers are under fire after urging subordinates to rally  against a Senate proposal that would overhaul the military’s sexual assault  policies.

A letter obtained by POLITICO shows Lt. Gen. Richard Harding,  the Air Force judge advocate general, and Col. Jeffrey Rockwell, urging their  fellow military lawyers to take sides against a Senate amendment expected to  come up for a floor vote before Thanksgiving that removes the command chain from  major criminal prosecutions.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/air-force-lawyers-sexual-assault-policy-99099.html

Lawmaker sustains 6-month hold on 3-star’s nomination

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

Susan HelmsLawmaker sustains 6-month hold on 3-star’s nomination

For six months, a prominent Democratic lawmaker has blocked Lt. Gen. Susan Helms’ nomination to be vice commander of Space Command, making it unlikely that she will ever be confirmed.

Helms continues to serve as commander of 14th Air Force. Lt. Gen. John Hyten has already been confirmed to replace her, but the Air Force is waiting for Helms to be confirmed before moving forward, Air Force spokesman Capt. Adam Gregory said. Helms’ nomination will expire in January 2015.

Both Helms and Hyten declined to comment for this story, Gregory said.

Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri first objected to Helms nomination in April and then reaffirmed her stance in June, citing Helms’ decision to overturn the sex assault conviction of a captain at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., in February 2012.

Read more: http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20131027/NEWS05/310270007/Lawmaker-sustains-6-month-hold-3-star-s-nomination

21 members of Tucson Air Guard unit indicted on fraud charges

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Air National Guard Seal21 members of Tucson Air Guard unit indicted on fraud charges

A colonel and 20 other members of an Arizona Air National Guard unit based in Tucson have been indicted on charges they defrauded the government of $1.4 million intended for deployed military members.

Attorney General Tom Horne announced that the Guard members — current or former members of the 214th Reconnaissance Group — will face charges stemming from an 18-month investigation that concluded eight officers and 13 enlisted personnel falsified records. The 214th operates Predator drones in Iraq and Afghanistan from Tucson.

The only defendant identified so far is the former commander of the 214th, who is alleged to have overseen the fraud, Horne said.

Read more: http://azstarnet.com/laestrella/ciudad/members-of-tucson-air-guard-unit-indicted-on-fraud-charges/article_b28dc193-5494-5744-87a0-84e8b5e62cef.html

21 Arizona Guardsmen Face Criminal Charges

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Uncategorized, USAFLeave a comment

Air National Guard Seal21 Arizona Guardsmen Face Criminal Charges

PHOENIX – Nearly two dozen current and former members of the Arizona Air National Guard have been indicted on charges including theft and money laundering in a $1.4 million scam to defraud the federal government, authorities announced Monday.

The eight officers and 13 enlisted men and women, including the colonel and former commander of the 214 Reconnaissance Group, falsified their records and used fake home addresses in order to receive money meant for those traveling outside of their home regions for duty assignments, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne said.

Read more: http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/10/21/21-arizona-guardsmen-face-criminal-charges.html?comp=7000023435630&rank=5

Another Airman Found Dead

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USAF SealAnother Airman Found Dead

Another airman from the Minot Air Force Base has died. The base says a member of the 5th Bomb Wing was found unresponsive at about 3:20 this afternoon in a dorm room and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Last week, Tech. Sergeant Christopher Summers of the 91st Missile Wing was also found dead in his home. His death is also under investigation.

Read more: http://www.kmot.com/story/23471223/another-airman-found-dead

21 National Guard soldiers charged with defrauding government

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21 National Guard soldiers charged with defrauding government

PHOENIX — A former special military unit commander and 20 of current and former Air National Guard soldiers have been charged with defrauding the government. Indictments unveiled Monday contend that the soldiers falsified records and used fake addresses to say they were on temporary assignments outside of Arizona when, in fact, they were still living at home in Tucson.

That act is significant because those assignments entitle the soldiers to get extra “temporary duty disbursements.’ And state Attorney General Tom Horne said that, for some of the soldiers, that extra pay over the course of three years amounted to more than $100,000 apiece.  Overall, he said the total amount stolen from taxpayers, was $1.4 million.

Read more: http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=56846

Cody Hooks, US Air Force, Murdered his Wife Kaylla Rihn & Then Killed Himself in San Antonio, Texas (2013)

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Homicide, In Their Name, Military Policy, Suicide, USAFLeave a comment
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Kaylla Brooke Rihn and SrA Cody Hooks, US Air Force

Senior Airman Cody Hooks and Kaylla Brooke Rihn were found dead in their apartment from an apparent murder-suicide on October 17, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas. Their friends reported this was two days after they heard them having a late night argument. Although family were not aware of any previous issues with the couple. Senior Airman Cody Hooks, 21, was considered a suspect and Kaylla Brooke Rihn, 22, was listed as a homicide victim in the shooting. They found Rihn dead with a bullet wound to one eye and Hooks with a .40-caliber wound to his temple. A Beretta handgun was found near his body. SrA Hooks was a member of the 802nd Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio. Hooks and Rihn were married only two weeks before the murder-suicide yet family didn’t learn she was married until after she was found dead. This was SrA Hooks first tour of duty with the Air Force and it is unknown if he deployed in support of the war efforts.

“Suicides have plagued the armed forces for years, with self-inflicted deaths rising after the U.S. went to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. A record was set last year (2012), with the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps logging 514 suicides.” -My SA

Related Links:
Murder-suicide suspected in pair’s deaths

Senior Airman raped in Okinawa

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mydutytospeak's avatar My Duty to Speak

Sarah, United States Air Force

It all began 22 March 2003. I landed in a foreign land as a technical school graduate. After departing my flight I got settled into this new land called Okinawa. When I finally got acclimated to the shop I met my first supervisor, Staff Sergeant ***** Our first supervisor/trainee session was at CoCo’s, the local curry shop. Since this was all new to me, I thought that this was how bonds were built between the ranks. Then **** began telling me about all of his heterosexual and homosexual relationships he had been having on the island. Mind you, this man was married with a child. I began to feel like this encounter was not going as it should and was feeling very uncomfortable about the topic.

After our food came he propositioned me. He said, “If you have sex with me I will give you…

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