If it wasn't for bad luck, they wouldn't have any luck...

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5th Bomb Wing CO is the latest to be fired

By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Oct 30, 2009 16:43:17 EDT

The commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., was fired Friday afternoon for loss of confidence in his ability to lead.

Col. Joel S. Westa was the second wing commander at Minot to lose his job in October. Col. Christopher Ayers was fired Oct. 14 as commander of 91st Missile Wing, also for loss of confidence.

Reached at his home Friday afternoon, Westa declined to comment and said the Air Force had instructed him to refer all questions to a base public affairs official.

Westa received word of his dismissal from his boss, Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, commander of 8th Air Force.

Westa, a master navigator, lost of the confidence of Carpenter because of his “inability to foster a culture of excellence, a lack of focus on the strategic mission … and substandard performance during several nuclear surety inspections, including the newly activated 69th Bomb Squadron,” according to a statement issued by 8th Air Force.

“Perfection is the standard,” Carpenter said in the statement. “We will continue to demand exacting focus, attention to detail, discipline and dedication to the highest principles and standards for all activities surrounding the nuclear enterprise.”

The new commander is Col. Douglas Cox, vice commander of 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

Westa took command of the 5th Bomb Wing in November 2007 after Col. Bruce Emig was fired in October 2007 for being unaware of the accidental transfer of a nuclear warhead on a B-52 that summer from Minot to Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

Since November, five wing commanders have lost their jobs. The others besides Westa and Ayers:

* Col. John Roop of the 11th Wing, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., was removed Oct. 6 after the commander of Air Force District Washington, Maj. Gen. Ralph Jodice, “lost confidence” in Roop. “He did not meet the leadership example we expected,” Jodice said through a spokesman.

* Col. John W. McDonald at the 43rd Airlift Wing, Pope Air Force Base, N.C., was relieved June 12 after arguing in a store parking lot with the wife of an Army soldier from neighboring Fort Bragg. The incident was witnessed by several people and prompted an Army investigation. After AMC officials reviewed the investigation, McDonald was relieved.

* Col. Bryan Bearden of the 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Korea, lost his post Nov. 10, 2008, because in a series of inspections turned up problems in the wing’s maintenance group even though the wing was considered “combat ready.” The inspections faulted the wing’s adherence to technical orders and standards of documentation.

LOL...the wing commander at Kirtland failed two NSIs and SHE is now a two star at Tinker last I heard. Guess gender makes a difference in failing NSIs.

quote:

Perfection is the standard,” Carpenter said in the statement.

I find this statement to be the most entertaining. I wonder how many GOs today would survive if they had to go back in time and live up to a standard of "perfection."

quote:

Originally posted by 15713302:

quote:

Perfection is the standard,” Carpenter said in the statement.

I find this statement to be the most entertaining. I wonder how many GOs today would survive if they had to go back in time and live up to a standard of "perfection."

How true, how true!

MG Carpenter is talking about perfection in relation to handling NUKES, not perfection in relation to an F-16 hitting the FOLLOW ME truck! He should demand no less from his hotshot Wing CCs.

This is critical stuff, folks.

quote:

Originally posted by caninedale:
LOL...the wing commander at Kirtland failed two NSIs and SHE is now a two star at Tinker last I heard. Guess gender makes a difference in failing NSIs.

A ridiculous statement. I'll bet gender has more to do with unfair/inaccurate blame than some sort of career boast or shield from fault.

IF the individual to which you speak is in fact a beneficiary of the "good ole boys" system -- then your sarcasm omits reference to the "boys" portions of this cliche.'

BTW: the below listed individual was amoung the AF general officers disciplined during the nuclear debacle of a couple years ago. I guess gender didn't work out to well for her...ya think?

Maj. Gen. Kathleen D. Close, commander, Ogden Logistics Center, Utah

quote:

Originally posted by vsibaby:
MG Carpenter is talking about perfection in relation to handling NUKES, not perfection in relation to an F-16 hitting the FOLLOW ME truck! He should demand no less from his hotshot Wing CCs.

This is critical stuff, folks.

Quite so. However, you missed the point. I believe the quote was as follows...

quote:

“Perfection is the standard,” Carpenter said in the statement. “We will continue to demand exacting focus, attention to detail, discipline and dedication to the highest principles and standards for all activities surrounding the nuclear enterprise.”

Note the use of the word "enterprise." That has nothing to do with handling nukes. Rather it has everything to do with all things related to the daily execution of all duties.

So while no one in their right mind would advocate the mishandling of nukes. I would submit that "perfection" or "zero defects" across something as large as the nuclear "enterprise" might be a bridge too far. Moreover, I rather doubt few GOs today if they had to be WG/CCs would be much more successful at producing "perfection."

quote:

Originally posted by 15713302:

quote:

Originally posted by vsibaby:
MG Carpenter is talking about perfection in relation to handling NUKES, not perfection in relation to an F-16 hitting the FOLLOW ME truck! He should demand no less from his hotshot Wing CCs.

This is critical stuff, folks.

Quite so. However, you missed the point. I believe the quote was as follows...

quote:

“Perfection is the standard,” Carpenter said in the statement. “We will continue to demand exacting focus, attention to detail, discipline and dedication to the highest principles and standards for all activities surrounding the nuclear enterprise.”

Note the use of the word "enterprise." That has nothing to do with handling nukes. Rather it has everything to do with all things related to the daily execution of all duties.

So while no one in their right mind would advocate the mishandling of nukes. I would submit that "perfection" or "zero defects" across something as large as the nuclear "enterprise" might be a bridge too far. Moreover, I rather doubt few GOs today if they had to be WG/CCs would be much more successful at producing "perfection."

Great analysis. Maybe much of the corporate knowledge went away went SAC got canned. And maybe the missile talent fled to Space Command for sexy jobs.