USAF watchdogs react to Post firing
An Inspector General’s report on comments made by Maj. Gen. James Post that officers would be “committing treason” if they spoke out against the USAF plans to scrap the A-10, has resulted in the firing and reprimand of Post according to Air Combat Command.
The Air Force Inspector General’s investigation into the matter determined that the remarks by Post, ACC Vice Commander, to a group of Airmen had a “chilling effect on some of the attendees and caused them to feel constrained from communicating with members of Congress.”
Post statements were first reported on the popular Air Force blog, John Q. Public, published by retired USAF pilot Tony Carr. In response to Carr’s post about Post’s comments at Nellis Air Force Base Tactics Review Board meeting, an Air Combat Command spokesperson told the ADI that the “general’s use of hyperbole in his comments during a recent discussion with attendees at a Tactics Review Board at Nellis were intended to communicate a serious point: the Air Force decision on recommended actions/strategic choices for the constrained fiscal environment has been made and the service’s position communicated.”
New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte then called for an investigation by the Air Force Inspector General’s Office. The IG’s report confirmed that Post did use the word “treason.”
An Air Combat Command news release says, “The IG report surmised that Post’s ‘choice of words had the effect of attempting to prevent some members from lawfully communicating with Congress,’ which is a violation of the U.S. Code and DoD Directives, whether that was his intention or not.”
To read more: USAF watchdogs react to Post firing, click here.
Related article: