Tag: USAF

Attorney: Glen Burnie shooting was self-defense

On By AdministratorIn Domestic Violence, Felony Crime, USAFLeave a comment

USAF SealAttorney: Glen Burnie shooting was self-defense

A Glen Burnie man acted in self-defense when he shot and killed another man he suspected of having an affair with his wife, his attorney said Monday.

At a bail hearing for Matthew Pinkerton, 34, attorney Peter O’Neill said the victim, Kendall Green, broke into Pinkerton’s home on Arbor Drive just before 2 a.m. Sunday after being told repeatedly to leave. Green, also of Glen Burnie, acted aggressively and motioned toward his waistband as if he had a weapon, O’Neill said.

Pinkerton shot Green once in the chest from 10 to 15 feet away, but Green continued to advance toward him, his wife Jessica and two friends who were at the house, O’Neill said. That’s when Pinkerton shot him again. He died at the scene.

Read more: http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/for_the_record/attorney-glen-burnie-shooting-was-self-defense/article_36bb4d67-b713-5b22-b6c5-d9e2b1d1016d.html

Compass: Guard takes sexual assault seriously

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Felony Crime, Military Policy, National Guard, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

Thomas KatkusBy GEN. THOMAS KATKUS         

As commissioner for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and adjutant general for the Alaska National Guard, I am responsible for ensuring all personnel aggressively root out any harassment, hostile work environments, sexual assault or trading of sexual favors. These actions have no place in America’s work environment. This responsibility to our military family and our state workforce is nonnegotiable.

When Gov. Sean Parnell spoke at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Fairbanks last week, he clearly stated that respect is a traditional value that crosses all cultures. This is also true when it comes to the culture of the military. “Choose Respect” is not a slogan — it is a way of life for our military community, as it should be.

Read more here.

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.

 

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

Wilkerson: Demotion, ouster politically motivated

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

USAF SealWilkerson: Demotion, ouster politically motivated

Lt. Col. James Wilkerson, the former Aviano Air Base, Italy, inspector general whose overturned sexual assault conviction triggered calls for change to long-standing military law, called his forced retirement and demotion to major an unfair and politically motivated decision.

“I emphatically disagree with [the] decision and believe my service record provides clear proof that I honorably served in the rank of lieutenant colonel, so much that I was promoted to colonel,” Wilkerson said in a statement to Air Force Times.

It is the first time Wilkerson has spoken publicly about his case.

Read more: http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131018/NEWS/310180012/Wilkerson-Demotion-ouster-politically-motivated

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

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Murder-suicide suspected in pair’s deaths

Court-martial begins Tuesday in Dyess child neglect case

On By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, Child Abuse, Military Policy, USAFLeave a comment

USAF SealCourt-martial begins Tuesday in Dyess child neglect case

A court-martial begins Tuesday for a Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, senior airman accused of failing to report the neglect of a toddler who died last year at her family’s base home.

Senior Airman Christopher Perez is charged with dereliction of duty, child endangerment and adultery. Perez was living at the home of Tiffany Klapheke and her husband, Senior Airman Thomas Klapheke, when the toddler died in August 2012.

Read more: http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131014/NEWS06/310140011/Court-martial-begins-Tuesday-Dyess-child-neglect-case

Nellis major faces trial Tuesday on sex abuse charges

On By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual AssaultLeave a comment

USAF SealNellis major faces trial Tuesday on sex abuse charges

Nellis Air Force Base officers will proceed Tuesday with prosecuting and defending one of their own for alleged sex abuse. The case of Maj. Charles Cox comes as military leaders are cracking down sexual offenses in the wake of a surge of such cases reported by the Pentagon earlier this year.

Cox, a nurse assigned to the 99th Medical Operations Squadron at Nellis is charged with abusive sexual contact on an unconscious person, assault by battery and conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman. The Air Force has made little public about the case, which was reported through the base’s Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

Read more: http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nellis-major-faces-trial-tuesday-sex-abuse-charges

Insider outrage: Maj. Phil Ambard, 44

On By AdministratorIn Felony Crime, Non Combat DeathLeave a comment

USAF SealInsider outrage: Maj. Phil Ambard, 44

The U.S. military didn’t call the shooting a “green-on-blue” or “insider” attack. On April 27, 2011, when Linda Ambard’s husband and eight other Americans were gunned down by an Afghan ally, the only label the military put on it was “anomaly.”

The Afghan who opened fire at the Kabul airport snapped, the military said, in what was an event too rare to be considered anything more than an isolated tragedy.

Read more: http://www.stripes.com/insider-outrage-maj-phil-ambard-44-1.191939

Rice retires in Randolph ceremony

On By AdministratorIn Military PolicyLeave a comment

Edward Rice

Rice retires in Randolph ceremony

SAN ANTONIO — Air Force Gen. Edward Rice Jr., who oversaw a makeover of basic training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in the wake of a sex scandal there that triggered congressional hearings, retired Thursday.

Read more here.