'Aggressive Action' Follows Sexual Misconduct Charges

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2012 - The Air Force has charged six basic training instructors with a range of alleged sexual misconduct offenses involving trainees and is investigating similar allegations against six other instructors, the senior officer in charge of Air Force training said today.

Gen. Edward Rice Jr., commander of Air Education and Training Command, told Pentagon reporters all of the instructors had worked training newly recruited airmen at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. All of the instructors charged or under investigation are men, and all 31 of the potentially victimized recruits are women, the general said. None of the instructors is still in contact with trainees, he added.

It's important to note, Rice said, that most of the men are still under investigation or in the military trial process, and all are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

"We are leaving no stone unturned. I'm not minimizing this investigation; in fact I'm being as aggressive as I can. And we won't stop ... [until] we've done as thorough a job as we possibly can," he said.

Rice said he was "extremely disappointed ... that this would happen in an environment that we very much want to be a safe and secure environment for any young person who comes in."

The general said the investigation suggests the misconduct dates back to fall of 2009, and allegations surfaced between June and November of 2011. Some allegations involve relations between instructors and trainees that occurred after the trainees had completed basic training and were no longer under the instructors' direct supervision, he noted.

Whether the alleged incidents happened while trainees were in basic training or in the later technical training phase, Rice said, "personal relationships of any kind between trainees and instructors are strictly prohibited by our regulations and our instructions."

Rice said while all unresolved allegations are under thorough legal investigation, he also has appointed Air Force Maj. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward to conduct a parallel review of AETC's response to the charges and to recommend possible further actions.

Woodward is not assigned to the training command, Rice noted. She is the acting director of operational planning, policy and strategy for the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, according to her official biography.

"I felt that it was important to get not just an internal look at this, but also an external look," he said. "I believe it's possible for us not to see things because we've been so close to it over the past year. This is an extra step to see if there's anything that we've missed."

Rice said he has put several measures in place to safeguard and educate trainees. All trainees reporting to Lackland now receive briefings within their first 72 hours on base from the training group commander, a legal representative, a sexual assault coordinator and a chaplain, he said.

The briefings explain their rights and responsibilities to report misconduct, the general said.

Rice added trainees have daily access to a number of comment boxes on the base they can use, either by name or anonymously, to register concerns.

"The training group commander reads every urgent [comment] sheet from a trainee within 24 hours ... and any allegation of sexual misconduct results in immediate action," he said.

Any instructor who is the subject of an allegation is suspended from duty and forbidden contact with trainees pending investigation, Rice added.

Rice said the command took the "nearly unprecedented" step of suspending training for a day to survey all recruits then in training. His staff also has surveyed former trainees who were in basic training during past instances of alleged misconduct, he added.

His staff has worked to contact any trainee who has reported instructor abuse to "offer them the fullest array of support that we can," the general said.

The general noted 98 to 99 percent of all trainees surveyed rated their training experience as positive. Lackland trains about 35,000 new airmen –- 22 percent of whom are women -- every year in an eight-and-a-half-week basic training program that begins a new class weekly, he said. Of 500 training instructors, 11 percent are women, Rice added.

"The vast majority of these [military training instructors] are great Americans who live up to the high standards we demand of those who are entrusted with the critically important and sensitive mission of turning ordinary citizens into airmen," the general said.

The screening process for instructor selection is rigorous, involving a thorough records review and both written and interview-based psychological evaluations, he said. Rice added one of the things he is considering is whether to make that selection process even more rigorous.

"The best line of defense is for the training instructors, in fact, to police themselves," he said. The general noted that all but one of the misconduct allegations came from instructors stepping forward to report information they had overheard from fellow trainers.

The first instructor sexual misconduct case involved Staff Sgt. Luis Walker. A trainee accused Walker in June 2011 of sexually assaulting her, according to Air Force reports.

Walker was relieved of duty and will appear in court July 16 to face a general court-martial on 28 charges, according to Air Force news releases. Charges include rape, adultery, obstruction of justice, attempted aggravated sexual contact, multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault, violating a training group instruction and violating a lawful order regarding unprofessional relationships with trainees.

Since Walker's alleged crimes and misconduct became public, the Air Force has begun investigating 11 other basic military training instructors for alleged violations involving trainees in basic or technical training.

One former instructor, then-Staff Sgt. Peter Vega-Maldonado, pleaded guilty earlier this month to charges of an improper relationship with a trainee and violation of a no-contact order. He was sentenced to 90 days confinement, forfeiture of $500 pay per month for four months, 30 days hard labor and reduction in rank to airman. In testimony against other accused instructors and after receiving testimonial immunity, Vega-Maldonado admitted to improper sexual conduct with several other women.

Nine of the 12 instructors alleged to have engaged in improper relationships with trainees came from one unit, Rice said: the 331st Training Squadron. The officer who commanded that unit from 2009 to earlier this month was relieved of command, Rice said.

Air Force officials announced special court-martial charges yesterday against two of the instructors, Master Sgt. Jamey Crawford and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Smith. Rice told reporters today both are assigned to the 331st Training Squadron.

Crawford's charges allege he wrongfully conducted a sexual relationship with a trainee, wrongfully provided alcohol to and consumed alcohol with the trainee, and committed adultery.

Smith allegedly wrongfully sought to develop and conduct a personal and intimate relationship with a trainee, wrongfully made sexual advances toward a trainee and wrongfully carried on a personal social relationship with a second trainee. Smith also is charged with obstruction of justice.

Two others instructors, Staff Sgt. Craig LeBlanc and Staff Sgt. Kwinton Estacio, faced an Article 32 hearing June 1. An Article 32 hearing is similar to a preliminary hearing in civilian law. No case can proceed to a general court-martial unless a command first conducts an Article 32 investigation.

Biographies:
Air Force Gen. Edward Rice Jr.
Maj. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward
Related Sites:
Air Education and Training Command 

Togolese-born Army NCO Lives His Dream

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan, June 26, 2012 - Army Sgt. Koku Adzoble joined the U.S. Army to make a better life for himself. Army Sgt. Koku Adzoble, top, inventories tools with Army Sgt. 1st Class James Crews on Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, June 14, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon Adzoble, who claims Bronx, N.Y., as his stateside home. "When I came here, I was working in a store, and it wasn't good for me. So, I joined the Army. I saw a way to make a difference in my life, and this is a much better place. That's why I'm staying in." Adzoble emigrated to the U.S. in 2007 from Togo under the U.S. State Department's visa lottery, which makes up to 55,000 visas available each year to countries with underrepresented populations in the U.S. The program requires applicants to either have a high school education, or two years' work experience. Adzoble won one of 3,777 visas offered in Togo. He graduated with a degree in physics from the University of Lomé in 2006 and was teaching high school until he moved to the United States a year later. "I had a chance," Adzoble said. "Some countries don't get that chance [to award U.S. visas], so you play every year you're eligible, and if you win, you get to come to the United States and get a visa. I was very lucky." Adzoble was working as a stock clerk in a New York City department store when a co-worker suggested that he join the U.S. Army. "I was working for this one guy, and he joined the Army," Adzoble said. "He left, and when he came back to visit, I listened to what he told me [about the Army]. What he was doing was better than what I had going at the time, so I decided to follow him. He's the reason I joined." In basic training, Adzoble faced difficulty understanding English. He said his drill sergeant wanted to hold him back for additional English language training, but the company commander let him stay on and work toward graduation. "French is our official language," Adzoble said. "We went to school and took English as a second language, but no one really takes that seriously. We have two or three hours of English class, but no one pays that much attention to it so they don't speak English that well." Adzoble improved his English skills and graduated with honors as an automated logistical specialist at Fort Lee, Va. Following a two-year tour in Korea, Adzoble was stationed with Task Force Wolfpack, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C., in December 2010. Eleven months later he deployed here to Forward Operating Base Salerno. Army Sgt. 1st Class James Crews, Adzoble's supervisor,says an unfailingly-positive attitude has allowed him to become a model soldier. "He's a hard worker," said Crews. "He had some great leadership before he came to me in 2010. He's one of those guys who goes straight to work when you ask him to do something. He doesn't ask why; he just does it." Adzoble is a supply clerk at the base's motor pool, keeping track of the parts inventory and monitoring deliveries. His job is critical to keeping the unit's vehicles on the road, requiring attention to detail and the ability to keep track of dozens of components. "He's an encyclopedia," Crews said of Adzoble. "He's that type of guy who'll pretty much look over something once or twice and he's got it memorized. It comes in very useful. When I'm trying to find a part, I ask him, and he knows what I'm talking about and where to find it right away." Adzoble has a wife and a daughter in West Africa. His daughter, he said, is too young to leave Africa right now, but he hopes to establish a permanent home in the United States so his family can join him in a few years. First, he wants to explore the country and find a place he'd like his family to settle. "I don't want to bring them, then, the next day we have to move again," Adzoble said. "It's not like I don't enjoy Fort Bragg, but I want to see more of the United States and see if there's somewhere I might like even more." Adzoble hopes to earn a physics degree in the United States. He re-enlisted for three more years of Army service, and he's looking to earn a promotion before he leaves Afghanistan. "He got pinned E-5 [sergeant] in December, and we're probably going to send him to the E-6 [staff sergeant] promotion board before we leave Afghanistan," Crews said. "He's just that type of worker and has that type of leadership style." As for his daughter, Adzoble has no plans to push her into following in his footsteps. "I'll try my best to guide her on her own way," he said. "She might want something different. The thing I can do is provide for her and do my best to support her. The one thing I want for her is to succeed and do something better with her life."

Meet the challenges faced by the countr

A call to strengthen the party organizations by CPI 

With a call to strengthen the party organization to meet the challenges faced by the country in the wake of neo-liberal policies, which have brought country’s economy to doll drums and also to struggle against mafias and attempts to spread fundamentalism in the state, the 21st District  Conference of the CPI Ludhiana unit held under the chairmanship of a presidium constituted by Dr Arun Mitra, Com. O P Meha, Com Amrik Singh, Com Gurnam Gill and Com Jit Kumari elected Com Kartar Singh Bowani as the district secretary unanimolusly and Dr Arun Mitra and D P Maur as Assistat Secretaries. Dr Joginder Dayal-member Central Executive Committee and Com Nirmal Singh Dhaliwal State Secretary participated as observers. 130 delegates participated in the conference. District Secretary Com Kartar Singh Bowani presented the report of activities in the past and the achievements of the party. After his report a vibrant debate was held on the present political situation in the state and the country and the state. The delegates also discussed the steps to be taken to strengthen the party and take the message to the masses. Dr Dayal gave a detailed account of present political scenario and Com Nirmal Dhaliwal stressed on the need for a strong organization. The report was passed unanimously. District conference also elected a 63 member district council Conference also elected a 15 member delegation to participate in the state conference to be held at Ludhiana from 7th to 9th July 2012. The conference decided to participate in a big number in the pre state conference rally on 7th July.
(Dr Arun Mitra)
Asstt. Secretary 

U.S., Japanese Officials Discuss Osprey IssuesU.S., Japanese Officials Discuss Osprey Issues

American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 22, 2012 - Defense Department officials today held a director-level meeting at the Pentagon with officials from the Japanese Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide an update on MV-22 and CV-22 Osprey aircraft issues, according to Pentagon Press Secretary George Little. Today's meeting, Little said, was led by Christopher Johnstone, Director for Northeast Asia, Office of the Secretary of Defense (Policy) and Air Force Brig. Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs for Asia, the Joint Staff. The meeting also included representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps and other U.S. Air Force members who provided updates on the status of the investigations into recent mishaps involving Osprey aircraft, Little said. Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon yesterday, Little described the meeting as an effort to address concerns about the aircraft by the governor of Okinawa. DOD is planning to deploy the MV-22 -- the Marine Corps variant of the Osprey -- to the Asia-Pacific region. The CV-22 Osprey is the Air Force's special operations variant. The tilt-rotor Osprey can fly like an airplane and land like a helicopter. The Department of Defense takes the inquiries made by the Japanese government very seriously and provided relevant information to the extent currently possible, and will continue to do so, Little said. The Osprey is a highly capable aircraft with an excellent operational safety record, which includes more than five years of worldwide deployments and 140,000 flight hours, he said.

Biographies: George Little Related Articles: U.S., Japanese Defense Officials to Meet to Discuss Osprey Issues