The commander of Arizona’s Air National Guard has been fired in the wake of an investigation by the Air Force Inspector General that was prompted by subordinate officers whom he had fired for alleged misconduct.
Brig. Gen. Michael Colangelo, who also served as assistant adjutant general, was terminated from his state position Aug. 14 and given a 31-day notice that his military services are no longer needed, said Maj. Gen. Hugo Salazar, the Arizona National Guard commander. While the investigation was prompted by the officers’ complaints, Salazar said he fired Colangelo because of “a breakdown in trust, not the investigative findings.”
Colangelo was the subject of an investigation prompted by complaints of retaliation from former Air Guard commanders who had been fired.
According to the Arizona Republic, after the Inspector General ruled that Colangelo had abused his authority, Salazar issued a written reprimand in July, and also a memorandum warning that Colangelo would be dismissed if charges against him were not overturned.
Colangelo, who contested the Inspector General findings, wrote a rebuttal letter challenging Salazar’s disciplinary action. The Inspector General report is not likely to be released publicly for several months.
The Republic reported that in an Aug. 10 e-mail to Salazar, Colangelo expressed a sense of betrayal: “Sir. Your deceit and very obvious dishonorable intentions toward me are leaving me no choice but to seek relief outside of the immediate chain of command.” Colangelo complained that the reprimand and warning memo were “irrational and unfounded,” and that Salazar knew the Inspector General findings were false.
Salazar responded within hours, telling Colangelo: “Your email below is beyond inappropriate; it is false and blatantly disrespectful … Effective immediately I am suspending you from both of your positions in AZNG with an eye toward removal,” according to the Republic.
“I am saddened that this action has become necessary, particularly when considering your many years of service … But your actions leave me no choice. I have lost confidence in your judgment.”
Colangelo was in charge of the 162nd Fighter Wing at Tucson International Airport, which conducts international pilot training; the 161st Air Refueling Wing at Sky Harbor International Airport, which conducts KC-135 aerial refueling missions; the 107th Air Control Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, which trains weapons directors; and the 214th Reconnaissance Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where MQ-1 Predator drones are based. He previously commanded the state’s Joint Counter Narco-Terrorism Task Force.
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PR, AZ Republic