Air Force Global Strike Command leadership on Feb. 10 held a no-notice leadership call at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, after security forces Airmen tasked with protecting the base’s nuclear missile fields were removed from duty while facing an investigation into alleged marijuana use.
“Our solemn duty is to protect this nation; the majority of our Airmen are exceptional and have made significant gains in ensuring excellence and adhering exacting standards,” AFGSC boss Gen. Timothy Ray said in a news release. “But we will not give up one inch of this hard-earned ground. When any of us see those not living up to our high standards, we will hold them accountable using all of the disciplinary tools available under the military justice system.”
An undisclosed number of Airmen in the 90th Security Forces Group have been removed from duty pending the outcome of an investigation. No additional information will be released until the investigation concludes, according to the command.
Ray was joined by AFGSC’s Command Chief Master Sgt. Charles Hoffman at the leadership call.
“Exceptional job performance does not matter if our Airmen do not live by our core values,” Ray said in the release. “NCOs and officers must set and enforce the standards for our junior Airmen. We must create an environment that fosters warfighting excellence, esprit de corps, and thriving Airmen—off and on duty.”
This is not the first time the command has faced problems with drug use in its ranks. In 2016, 14 members of the same security forces group were investigated for drug activity. Two years before that, a separate investigation focused on missileers at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, which helped spur the large-scale Force Improvement Program throughout AFGSC.