Guard wing commander removed in Massachusetts

[unhappycamper]

Guard wing commander removed in Massachusetts
Staff report
Posted : Thursday Feb 14, 2008 19:16:58 EST

Col. Marcel E. Kerdavid Jr. was abruptly removed as commander of the 104th Fighter Wing on Thursday, according to a report in The Republican, a newspaper in western Massachusetts.

Messages left at the Massachusetts National Guard headquarters and the 104th Fighter Wing public affairs office requesting confirmation were not immediately returned.

The Republic reported that Brig. Gen. L. Scott Rice, a former 104th pilot now serving as assistant adjutant general at the state headquarters, was named interim commander.

No reason for Kerdavid’s removal was reported.

Kerdavid, a 1980 Air Force Academy graduate, joined the 104th from active duty as a pilot in 1993 and became the unit’s commander in 2005, the report said.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/airforce_guard_kerdavidremoved_080214w/



uhc comment: Original 'The Republican' article --> http://www.masslive.com/chicopeeholyoke/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1203063649269040.xml&coll=1

[MADem]

1. Mean looking sumbitch--not the usual sex, drugs, or theft reason, though

The sticking point was PHILOSOPHICAL differences!! Who'd a thunk it????



More, from the original reporting source:

Military sources said the move came as the result of philosophical diffferences between the two officers. Over the past 30 years, no such abrupt change in leadership has occurred at the 104th. Typically, there are formal change of command ceremonies with the outgoing commanders then either retiring or, in some cases, moving on to higher rank and other leadership positions within the military.

Kerdavid's predecessor, retired Col. Michael R. Boulanger, who is now mayor of Westfield, said he was shocked by Kerdavid's reassignment and the manner in which it was handled.

"I've worked with Col. Kerdavid for 15 years. He is one of the finest officers I've ever encountered. He's been a dedicated and disciplined soldier his entire life. He's demonstrated exceptional leadership in peace and in war," Boulanger said. The mayor said Kerdavid has had a stellar career both before and since joining the 104th, citing Kerdavid's term as commander here and as commander of an A-10 unit in Afghanistan in 2002 in the early days of the nation's war on terror.

Akey said he intends to "use (Kerdavid's) experience for the good of the Massachusetts Air National Guard." The colonel, according to Akey, "has great capabilities and my decision was to bring him to headquarters to work on my staff."

Added Akey, "Col. Kerdavid has done a great job during his three-year run as commander of the 104th, and I look forward to him working on some issues for me. He is a great officer."

Akey said Rice will "continue to lead the 104th through its conversion from the A-10 to the F-15" in the unit's new mission. "The focus is to do this conversion safety, efficiently and proactively and continue the excellence of the 104th," Akey said.

EDIT--forgot to put in this link: http://blog.masslive.com/breakingnews/2008/02/air_guard_commander_removed_up.html