Tag: blue angels
Ex-Blue Angels Leader Under Investigation Quits As Tailhook President

Ex-Blue Angels Leader Under Investigation Quits As Tailhook President

By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times

SAN DIEGO — The former commander of the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, under investigation for alleged sexual harassment, has resigned as president of the San Diego-based Tailhook Association.

Capt. Gregory McWherter resigned from the position he has held with the private, non-profit group since September.

McWherter wants to distance the group from the investigation, which has led to him being relieved from duty as executive officer of Naval Base Coronado, Tailhook officials said Monday.

McWherter was relieved of duty at Coronado as the investigation continues into allegations of “lewd speech, inappropriate comments and sexually explicit humor” and pornography, the Navy said.

McWherter allowed “and in some cases encouraged” the sexually inappropriate misconduct in the workplace during his two tours as commander and flight leader of the Blue Angels, the Navy said.

Formed in 1956, the Tailhook Association takes its name from the arresting wire on the deck of an aircraft carrier that brings aircraft to a halt. The association holds an annual gathering that is both reunion and symposium.

The 1991 gathering in Las Vegas is known for the riotous behavior that included drinking and sexual harassment.

As the Los Angeles Times reported in 2000, “At their best, the conventions allow junior and senior aviators to discuss the risks and challenges of carrier aviation and to talk to representatives of aerospace firms about the latest in planes, weaponry and tactics.

“At their worst, the conventions became ‘lost weekends’ for aviators to party while on duty. While the 1991 convention was the most flagrant, other conventions had also witnessed a good deal of drinking and horseplay.”

The 1991 scandal led to the resignation of Navy Secretary H. Lawrence Garrett, the early retirement of Adm. Frank B. Kelso, then-chief of naval operations, and multiple lawsuits, disciplinary actions and reforms. Careers were ruined.

The Navy cut ties with Tailhook during the scandal and restored those ties in 2000 after then-Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig was convinced that reforms had been undertaken to encourage the recruitment and advancement of women in the Navy and that the brass would never again permit the abusive behavior seen at the 1991 convention.

McWherter served as commanding officer of the Blue Angels from November 2008 to November 2010, and then from May 2011 to November 2012.

An F/A-18 Hornet pilot, McWherter has logged 5,500 flight hours and 950 aircraft carrier landings during training missions and deployments to the Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf and the western Pacific.

He was an instructor at the Fighter Weapons School, known as Top Gun. During his second tour with the Blue Angels, McWherter, a graduate of the Citadel, received an award for his “leadership and contributions” to the North American air show industry.

AFP Photo/Robert Fluegel

Ex-Blue Angels Commander Ousted Amid Lewd Conduct Allegations

Ex-Blue Angels Commander Ousted Amid Lewd Conduct Allegations

By Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times

SAN DIEGO—A former commanding officer of the famed Blue Angels aerial demonstration team was relieved of duty amid allegations of “lewd speech, inappropriate comments, and sexually explicit humor” and pornography, the Navy said Wednesday.

Last week the Navy announced that Capt. Gregory McWherter had been relieved of duty as executive officer of Naval Base Coronado because of initial findings of an investigation into misconduct during his tours as commander and flight leader of the Blue Angels.

In making that announcement, the Navy provided no explanation of the misconduct except that it made for an “inappropriate command climate” at the Blue Angels, which are based at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla.

On Wednesday, the Navy provided details following a story on The Washington Post’s web site.

McWherter allowed “and in some cases encouraged” the sexually inappropriate misconduct in the workplace, according to Wednesday’s statement.

The actions may have violated the Navy’s “sexual harassment, hazing and equal opportunity policies,” the Navy said.

“All Navy leaders, whether assigned to a highly visible unit like the ‘Blues,’ or to our installations, squadrons, ships and submarines, are held to the highest standards,” said Vice Adm. David Buss, commander of Naval Air Forces.

The decision to relieve McWherter was made by Vice Adm. William French, commander of Navy Installation Command. The investigation began with a complaint filed with the Navy Inspector General.

“We remain fully committed to accountability, transparency and protecting the integrity of ongoing investigations,” Buss said.

McWherter served as commanding officer of the Blue Angels from November 2008 to November 2010, and then from May 2011 to November 2012.

An F/A-18 Hornet pilot, McWherter has logged 5,500 flight hours and 950 aircraft carrier landings during training missions and deployments to the Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf and the western Pacific.

He was an instructor at the Fighter Weapons School, known as Top Gun. During his second tour with the Blue Angels, McWherter, a graduate of the Citadel, received an award for his “leadership and contributions” to the North American air show industry.

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