The commodoreander of the Navy's Strategic Communications Wing 1, based at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, was fired Tuesdaytoday, after due to a loss of confidence in her ability to lead. Capt. Heather Cole Cole as she had "not performed up to the high standards demanded of an officer in command," according to a Naval Air Forces said in a press release. Press Release March 17.
The relief was done by Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, the AIRFOR boss, head of naval air forces who relievedingCapt. Heather Cole of command of both the wing and of Task Force 124, an operational command post that reports to U.S. Strategic Command. strategic command she was also responsible for.
Cole's The relief The reliefs stemmed from an investigation Shoemaker launched in February based on into the wing in February based revelations of significant issues within the wingwith the command that needed to be adjudicated, said Cmdr. Jeannie Groeneveld, AIRFOR spokeswoman for Naval Air Forces.
She said Cole's shortcomings were professional in nature, she said, and unfolded over time, adding that she but could not comment further as the investigation has not been completed, has yet to get final approval, except to say that the issues were professional in nature and had unfolded over time. It was not due to any single event. .
"The relief was due to deficiencies in her performance that were identified in the findings of the investigation," Groeneveld said. The deficiencies had nothing to do with TF-124's Strategic Nuclear Forces mission, she said, but instead were a many separate of "cultural issues" within the wing itself.
Cole has been temporarily assigned to the San Diego-based staff of AIRFORnaval air forces pending the final outcome of the investigation.
Attempts to immediately reach Cole did not respond to calls and emails seeking comment by Thursday. via phone and email were unsuccessfully Tuesday, after the Navy announced the relief.
Taking over command is Capt. Brian McCormick, who has served as the task force's deputy commander, has been named the acting wing commander. has been temporarily assigned acting commander of the wing and task force. McCormick previously served as the wing and task force's deputy commander.
The post command answers to two masters. Strategic Communications Wing 1 reports to AIRFOR on the manning and training of the E-6B Mercury squadrons that fly the airborne command post. which answers to naval air forces on matters such as the manning, training and equipping the Navy squadrons in the wing.
The wing's operational side, Task Force 124, is part of the nation's nuclear command and control echelon and reports to communication called Task Force 124 is an operational command, responsible to Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, which answers directly to U.S. Strategic Command on missions like . Their missions include Airborne Command Post, the Airborne Launch Control System, the Non-Strategic Nuclear Forces Theater Commanders and the "Take Charge and Move Out" (TACAMO) Emergency Action Message relay missions.
A native of Ferris, Texas, Cole is a graduate of the University of Texas and received her commission through Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, in 1990. She received her wings in 1991, according to her official bio.
Cole, a naval flight officer, served first in P-3 aircraft at various assignments until she transitioned to the TACAMO community in 1993.
She also served as the aviation initial assignment detailer, first in Washington, D.C., and then making the move in 1999 when Navy Personnel Command moved to Millington, Tennessee, in 1999 when Navy Personnel Command relocated there. From 2000 to 2003, Cole served as the operations administrative officer aboard the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman.
Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.
