Minot bomb wing commander relieved of duty

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The commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., has been relieved of duty. The 5th BW operates the B-52 Stratofortress, similar to the ones shown here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr.)
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Minot bomb wing commander relieved of duty

Posted 10/30/2009

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10/30/2009 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) -- The commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., was relieved of command Oct. 30 due to loss of confidence in his ability to command.

Col. Joel S. Westa was removed by Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, commander of 8th Air Force. Colonel Westa assumed command in November 2007.

Colonel Westa was not relieved for any alleged misconduct or wrongdoing. The inability to foster a culture of excellence, a lack of focus on the strategic mission during his command and substandard performance during several nuclear surety inspections, including the newly activated 69th Bomb Squadron deemed "not ready" to perform its nuclear mission, contributed to the loss of confidence.

The new commander of the 5th Bomb Wing is Col. Douglas Cox, former vice commander of Andersen AFB, Guam.

"Perfection is the standard," General Carpenter said. "We will continue to demand exacting focus, attention to detail, discipline and dedication to the highest principles and standards for all activities surrounding the nuclear enterprise."

Although multiple deficiencies in the adherence of stringent nuclear standards were identified during several inspections, the safety and security of nuclear operations at Minot were never compromised.

"While the shortcomings in recent inspections did not translate to an inability to accomplish the mission, they did show a departure from the standards of perfection that we demand in the nuclear enterprise," said Gen. William M. Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command. "Our leaders must set and enforce the standards across all of our mission areas. The nation expects and deserves nothing less."

Comments

11/3/2009 12:26:46 PM ET
I am a retired Chief and served under the stringent rules of nuclear surity rules. There is no ambiguity in the proper controls of these weapons. Get it right or find something else to do. Commanders are the final link and have to take full responsibility for the good and bad of his or her command. God speed Colonel and keep breathing in and out

B Totten, Radford Va

11/3/2009 8:48:23 AM ET
Despite the type of person Colonel Westa was, the reason he was relieved was due to factors other than personal. People who say that the NORE, NORI, and NSI are too strict and difficult should take a look at Barksdale and Whiteman's nuclear track record since the incident. Maybe there is a lack in leadership somewhere lower.

RC, Texas

11/2/2009 1:43:55 PM ET
Colonel Westa was brought on as the 5th BW commander after the previous wing commander was fired for losing control of the nukes shipped on a B-52 from Minot to Barksdale. The USAF could not have found a better person to take command at that time. Joel is the consummate nuclear professional. He spent most of his time in B-52s as a pilot and few in the USAF knew nuclear operations better. That's especially important when you consider the dearth of USAF personnel with nuclear experience these days. After SAC was disbanded, nuclear procedures and inspections became lax. The new USAF priority to reinvigorate nuclear operations means nuclear inspections are returning to the old no-mistakes methods. The slightest admin error or PRP infraction will indicate a failure on a NSI or NORI. The inspections are unbelievably difficult. In the SAC days wing commanders were fired on a regular basis for things like an error in the maintenance log on a nuclear weapons trailer.

D Perkins, Virginia

11/2/2009 1:20:44 PM ET
This article underscores one of the least appreciated aspects of command. The commander is ultimately responsible for the actions of those under his or her command. It was mentioned in the article there were deficiencies noted in successive NSIs and a squadron that was not mission capable. Only those directly involved know the reasons for these problems but as commander, Colonel Westa was the one person upon whom the responsibility fell. Rightly or wrongly the person in command gets credit for what happens on his or her watch. When any sports team has a losing record it is all too often the coach that is fired even though the results on the field were out of his or her control. I am sure part of the reasoning behind this action was to establish a standard in the new Global Strike Command that holds all commanders responsible for what occurs on their watch.

Jerry, Oklahoma

11/2/2009 10:49:10 AM ET
I served under Colonel Westa when he was the vice commander at Andersen AFB, Guam, and I have to say that he was the best vice commander I've ever worked for.

SSgt Chris P, San Antonio

11/2/2009 10:01:30 AM ET
I am sorry that Colonel Westa was relieved and replaced. While I didn't know him, I have buds who worked with him and said he is a good guy. I hope the troops will not blame Colonel Cox for this. Colonel Cox was my student years ago and is a fine aviator and a better officer. I think Minot is in good hands.

R Whitten, NH

11/2/2009 8:25:50 AM ET
I had the pleasure of serving under Colonel Westa at Andersen AFB, Guam. I have not met a more personable team player. I believe Minot will miss his leadership.

S.O., Washington DC

11/2/2009 8:17:13 AM ET
I am sure Col Westa was likely a fine commander. The issue of lack of confidence is more likely a case of he disagreed with the general on some point and that is a career ender. He's no yes man. The Air Force lost its focus on nuclear surety when it parcelled out nuclear responsibility a few years ago. Now, after a couple incidents, they are trying to recapture the herd and not allowing time to get back up to speed. I would suggest to General Carpenter that perfection as a standard is a pipe dream. It makes a great goal to work toward but if you rate someone on perfection you will never issue a positive rating. Again, a goal that keeps one working hard but truly not an achievable and maintainable standard. My best to Col Westa. While I do not know him, I know several great commanders who, like him, have walked into the sunset with their INTEGRITY and respect of their troops in tact. And for a commander, there is no better exit

Al Mastello, TX

11/2/2009 7:13:11 AM ET
I spent thirty years in Stratigic Air Command, ten as a chief. The two generals are very short-sighted. The Air Force lost its confidence in nuclear sureity when SAC was disbanded and they turned the nuke's over to TAC commanders and Navy admirals; neither had a clue what was up with nukes. The colonel is not at fault; he didn't have proper training that SAC insisted on.

billy d. williams, robins afb.

11/2/2009 7:08:09 AM ET
I was stationed at Minot from 74-78, and Minot can be very challenging. At 35 below zero and the wind blowing at 40 miles per hour, it can be a real problem.

Frank Huff, Dallas Tx

11/2/2009 4:49:49 AM ET
Colonel Westa is a fine officer and commander. He personally hired me onto this post and has pursued nothing but excellence. Unless you were personally here, I suggest you keep your negative comments to yourself. The comments in the article paint a much more harsh picture than what actually occurred. Colonel Westa was an exemplary commander and deserves nothing but admiration and respect for the duties he performed. He will be missed.

Capt. L., MAFB

11/1/2009 10:18:50 PM ET
I do not know the story but have respect for all parties involved. My only comment at this time is B-52s are extremely old work horses and takes a lot of hard work and good people to keep these planes working. C-141 cargo planes have been retired and they are not as old. Time for new delivery vehicles to meet the new future. Thank You

William Higinbotham, Bellport NY

11/1/2009 2:29:12 PM ET
At least do the proud men and women of the 5th BW the dignity of showing one of their birds taking off. We lost a Wing Commander but not the pride of the men and women that make the MT B-52's fly...

JS, MAFB ND

11/1/2009 10:40:44 AM ET
As a military spouse that just left MAFB months ago. I must say that Col. Westa brought a better sense of family and community. I have never seen my husband work harder and take more pride is his work than I did while he was under the command of Col. Westa This story smells of lies. I hope someone gets to the bottom of it.

Mrs. Reed, Okinawa Japan

11/1/2009 7:38:40 AM ET
This story is sad but odd too. A wing king's tour is normally about 18 months to two years in length. Col Westa took command of the 5th Bomb Wing in November 2007. He was getting pretty close to being rotated out but the NAF skipper relieved Col Westa of command and issued a public statement about the act rather than rotate someone in like normal. Why? There's probably more to this story than we're hearing about.

J.T., Washington D.C.

10/31/2009 10:02:36 PM ET
I have no problem canning someone who habitually fails to meet the standard. The standard has not changed much if at all and the previous people did meet the standard while those there now failed several times. Time for new leadership.

SFC Robert Donnell, LaPlace LA

10/31/2009 3:41:19 PM ET
If perfection is the standard, why was he allowed to mess up anything twice? How did he manage to drift along on the ragged edge of disaster for 23 months before being relieved? This story raises more questions than it answers.

Kelly Haggar, Baton Rouge LA

10/31/2009 2:58:42 PM ET
As an Airman who served under Colonel Westa I echo L Clark's comment. I have not served under a better wing commander than Colonrl Westa. Sir, thank you for the outstanding leadership. You will be missed!

J Long, Scott AFB IL

10/30/2009 8:43:43 PM ET
Shades of Curtis E. LeMay. Way to go and back to SAC

TSGT W.A.BillCowanUSAF, SaginawTexas

10/30/2009 8:04:28 PM ET
This is a total shame. Col. Westa was a fantastic Commander and the 8th AF got this wrong. Minot AFB and the US Air Force are a lesser force because of this.

L Clark, Missouri

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