JBLM Officer Relieved Of Command Following Hazing Investigation

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA - U.S. Air Force officials last week relieved two squadron commanders of their respective leadership roles for not preventing a "culture of hazing" within their units, located at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska and Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington.

Lt. Cols. Robb Fiechtner, 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron at JBER, and Joshua Cates, 5th Air Support Operations Squadron at JBLM, were relieved following an investigation. Additional disciplinary action may be taken pending further investigation, a spokeswoman for the 354th Fighter Wing explained Monday.

"I hold the duty of squadron commanders in the utmost esteem, and expect our commanders to train and strengthen our Airmen, while also caring for their morale and wellbeing," Col. Benjamin Bishop, 354th Fighter Wing commander, said in a statement released March 29. "I hope we can all agree that hazing in any form has no place in our service, and that we can emerge more committed to our core values of integrity, service, and excellence as we move forward in pioneering Airpower’s frontier."

The Air Force's hazing investigation reportedly began in January 2019 after command officials initiated the inquiry.

According to the 354th FW, investigators found service-members in two of the four squadrons stationed within JBLM's 1st Air Support Operations Group were participating in a practice called "rolling up," wherein Airmen tackle and restrain with duct tape the hazing victim before releasing them after a short period of struggling.

Investigators reportedly found most Airmen see the practice as good for bonding and camaraderie-building, despite the fact many participate out of peer pressure alone — and not because they actually enjoy being bound with duct tape, officials said.

"There are traditions that promote the health of the unit and link us to the long blue line of Airmen that have preceded us," Bishop said. "When Airmen, however, attempt to equate hazing actions as tradition, they do an absolute disservice to our Air Force culture and also undermine our mission effectiveness."

Lt. Col. Todd Davis was assigned command of Cates' former squadron at JBLM.

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