A military judge has indefinitely delayed the general court martial trial of CMSgt. William Gurney, former command chief of Air Force Materiel Command, that was scheduled to begin this week at Scott AFB, Ill. The Associated Press reported (via The Chicago Tribune) that Gurney’s attorneys requested the postponement. No new trial date was immediately set. Gurney, who joined the Air Force in 1983, is accused of sexually harassing 10 female subordinates. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a dishonorable discharge. He was removed from his post as AFMC’s top enlisted leader in November 2009. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. (See also Dayton Daily News report)
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.