«Breaking News» Commander of Thunderbirds flight demonstration team fired for grabbing neck of another pilot

Lt Col Jason Heard was relieved of the Thunderbirds' command on November 20, 2017, after an incident in which he reportedly grabbed a subordinate by the neck at a bar

The commander of the US Air Force's popular flight demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, was fired last year for grabbing another pilot by the neck in a Maryland bar, it was revealed this week.

The circumstances of the physical altercation and the subsequent firing of Lt Col Jason Heard were detailed in an investigation report, which was obtained by Air Force Times through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Heard and the other member of the demonstration squadron, who has not been named, reportedly had been feuding for months over the commander's 'perceived risk-taking leadership style' ahead of the September 11, 2017, brawl at an Irish pub in National Harbor, Maryland.

Both Heard and the pilot had been drinking before the commander put his hands around his subordinate’s neck, according to the report.

Another bar patron ended up stepping in and breaking up the scuffle.

The pilot was reportedly concerned that Heard was not following flying regulations and putting the lives of the team at risk.

According to the report, the same pilot told several of his comrades he thought Heard 'was going to kill him' during one of the flyovers.

The September 11, 2017, altercation took place a day after the Thunderbirds performed a flyover above the Washington Redskins stadium (pictured), during which witnesses said the F-16 fighter jets were flying too low  

Heard is pictured giving a speech on the day he assumed command of the flight demonstration team in January 2017 

Heard's name is seen emblazoned on the Thunderbirds' leader's F-16 plane in January 2017 

According to the newly obtained report, the pilot in the bar incident was not the only member of the squad who had expressed misgivings about Heard's leadership style, which was described as ‘hostile.'

Others testified that Heard, who was appointed commander of the Thunderbirds in January 2017, 'compromised safety and violated Air Force flying regulations and FAA regulations.'

On the eve of the bar brawl in Maryland, the Thunderbirds performed a flyover above the Washington Redskins stadium, during which multiple witnesses said that the F-16 fighter jets were flying too low to the ground for a populated area.

Members of the squadron later complained that Heard (center) compromised safety and violated regulations 

Air Force officials ultimately concluded that Heard demonstrrated a lack of judgment and ability to lead the squadron.

He was relieved of his command on November 20, 2017, by Brigadier General Jeannie Leavitt, who said at the time that his firing was in the best interests of the Thunderbirds.

The Air Force said in a press release around the same time that ‘Leavitt lost confidence in his leadership and risk management style [and] determined that new leadership was necessary to ensure the highest levels of pride, precision and professionalism within the team.’

Heard was replaced by Col Kevin Walsh, who joined the Air Force in 2002. The Thunderbirds’ website lists him as the current commander of the team.

Heard was replaced by Col Kevin Walsh (pictured), who joined the Air Force in 2002

Heard commissioned into the Air Force in 1999 after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, according to his Air Force biography.

He had previously served as commander of an F-15 squadron and had logged more than 3,000 flight hours including nearly 800 combat flight hours over Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross.

According to an Air Force profile published on the Thunderbirds’ website, when he took command of the squadron, Heard said that the team was an inspiration to many people.

‘To me, service as a Thunderbird is both an honor and a privilege,’ Heard said. ‘It requires significant sacrifice rewarded by the trust our fellow airmen place in us to represent them to the public. I promise to provide adaptive leadership, maintain the standards and fly a safe show.’

 

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/11/22/commander-of-thunderbirds-flight-demonstration-team-fired-for-grabbing-neck-of-another-pilot/
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Lt Col Jason Heard was relieved of the Thunderbirds’ command on November 20, 2017, after an incident in which he reportedly grabbed a subordinate by the neck at a bar

The commander of the US Air Force’s popular flight demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, was fired last year...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca





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