Top Two Air Force Officials Reportedly Forced to Resign

**raycarey** · 06-06-2008, 12:25 AM

The nation's top two Air Force officials are resigning, military sources told NBC News Thursday.

Air Force Chief of Staff Michael Moseley and Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne are being forced out, the two sources said. Moseley, a general, is the Air Force's top uniformed officer; Wynne is the top civilian official.

Word of the resignations was first reported by InsideDefense.com and the Air Force Times earlier Thursday.

"Top-level Pentagon officials gave Moseley the option to resign or be fired during a meeting this morning," the InsideDefense.com reported, quoting an unidentified military official.

The Air Force Times noted that the resignations follow high-profile scandals and disagreements between with lawmakers and Defense Secretary Robert Gates over the Air Force's role in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Gates earlier this year publicly stated that the Air Force could dedicate more resources, especially unmanned drones, to those battlefronts.

Sources told the Air Force Times that other senior officers could also be relieved.
A public announcement was expected later in the day. There was no immediate word on who would be nominated to replace Moseley and Wynne.

The Air Force has endured a number of embarrassing setbacks over the past year. In August, for instance, a B-52 bomber was mistakenly armed with six nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and flown across the country. The pilot and crew were unaware they had nuclear arms aboard.

The error was considered so grave that President Bush was quickly informed.

NBC: Top two Air Force officials resigning - Military - MSNBC.com

interesting development....i wonder how it will play out.

**jandajoy** · 06-06-2008, 12:45 AM

Well there's a suprise. It's all a bit "humdrum" and "par for the course" nowadays.

**lom** · 06-06-2008, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by raycarey

"The error was considered so grave that President Bush was quickly informed."

**sabang** · 06-06-2008, 08:19 AM

Yep, it's all gone downhill since Tex resigned.

**Texpat** · 06-06-2008, 11:23 AM

Retired ... the word is retired.

Minot Air Force Base failed a nuclear inspection a week ago -- mostly because of lapses in security. I'd bet that has something to do with it.

The corporate culture in the AF has changed dramatically over the past few years. It's not an Air Force anymore. It's the Air, Space and Cyber force, literally. I would imagine a lot of old heads (pilots wearing stars) are having a tough time with the transition from a bunch of fighter pilots so cool they shit crushed ice, to a bunch of pencil-necked geeks sitting behind computers.

"The mission of the United States Air Force is to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests -- to fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace."

**dexter** · 06-06-2008, 11:29 AM

Wow! First it was the police force, now it's the airforce. Wonder if Toxin had anything to do with this one.

**lom** · 06-06-2008, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Texpat

Retired ... the word is retired.

No, the word is resign as in "resign or get fired"

**Texpat** · 06-06-2008, 11:39 AM

That's odd -- why are they paying me every month for the rest of my life if they fired me?

**lom** · 06-06-2008, 11:46 AM

^Sorry Tex, didn't see Sabangs post. Thought you refered to the Air Force bosses mentioned in the OP.

**raycarey** · 06-06-2008, 11:53 AM

texpat didn't get fired, he quit.

**Texpat** · 06-06-2008, 11:58 AM

Wrong again RC -- retirement offers a whole range of benefits, quitting offers nothing more than the door. Don't be sour. Tell all your taxpaying friends (as if) and relatives I said thanks for the paycheck.

But this thread is about Wynne and Moseley and why they quit (although Moseley will also retire).

Just read Moseley's statement. I'm sure it's because of the failed Minot inspection.

***

6/5/2008 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley issued the following statement today:

Recent events have highlighted a loss of focus on certain critical matters within the Air Force. As the Air Force's senior uniformed leader, I take full responsibility for events which have hurt the Air Force's reputation or raised a question of every Airman's commitment to our core values.

For the past 36 years I have been privileged to serve my country as an Airman in the United States Air Force in peacetime and combat. I was honored and humbled to be appointed the Air Force's 18th chief of staff and have been proud to serve our Airmen and their families. Upon taking office, I worked hard with Secretary Wynne to ensure the Air Force provided the right forces at the right time to help our nation and allies win the global war on terror.

I think the honorable thing to do is to step aside. After consulting with my family, I have submitted my request to resign to Secretary Gates. The Air Force is bigger than one Airman, and I have full confidence that the Air Force will continue working with the joint team to win today's fight, take care of its Airmen, and meet tomorrow's challenges. I love the Air Force and remain proud of America's Airmen.

**raycarey** · 06-06-2008, 12:08 PM

oh ok, you 'retired' right when the bullets started flying.
that's some coincidence, but whatever gets you through the night.

anyway, yes this thread is about wynn and mosely.

i've noticed that more recent media reports are focusing more on the recent air force fvck ups rather than gate's complaint about the air force's role in iraq and afghanistan.

**barbaro** · 06-06-2008, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by raycarey

oh ok, you 'retired' right when the bullets started flying.
that's some coincidence, but whatever gets you through the night.

This isn't about Texpat's retirement, but I think he likely wasn't a pilot, which is fine, therefore, when "the bullets started flying" is not relevant, IMO. I think Texpat stated he put in 30 years, or a long time, that is. Flyboys probably have good gigs. I personally lived with two Air Force roomates in Washington, DC, and they had very interesting jobs. They worked on Air Force 1 and 2, and got to meet (although only briefly) many high level, well-known people in government.

As for the Minot nuke inspection, I suppose it's sending a message. Especially after those nuke-tipped warheads were flown across the country without the pilots and crew even knowing about it.

Maybe some house cleaning is needed.

**Mr Earl** · 06-06-2008, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by raycarey

oh ok, you 'retired' right when the bullets started flying.
that's some coincidence, but whatever gets you through the night.

anyway, yes this thread is about wynn and mosely.

i've noticed that more recent media reports are focusing more on the recent air force fvck ups rather than gate's complaint about the air force's role in iraq and afghanistan.

Ray dahling: I'm retired too, though not military, in a few years the SSA will be paying me too.
I hope it stings a little to know that my benefits will be better than your teacher salary.

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