Wednesday, March 26, 2003

By Staff
More in defense of the 186th ARW
To the editor:
I have followed with great interest the reports in the news relating to the "investigation of wrong doings" among the leaders of the 186th Air Refueling Wing. At first I was just terribly disappointed that such an outstanding unit of the Air National Guard was being beat up and no matter the final outcome it will leave a terrible dark page in the history book of a unit that has had a record of outstanding accomplishments.
I told myself "that is no longer your concern" but after being associated with the unit for 47 years it is difficult to not speak a few words in defense of such an outstanding unit. In the years associated with the unit I was a pilot for 34 years and since retiring 13 years ago I have met with retirees three or four times a year at Key Field maintaining the friendship of past comrades. You see, I have a special interest in the welfare of the unit since not only was I a member but was fortunate enough to have been promoted to the rank of Colonel and appointed Unit Commander my last five years prior to retiring in 1990.
After reading at least two articles in different newspapers it became evident to me that they were written or dictated by Jody Bryant, who a few years ago tried to get me to use my influence as a former commander to support his selfish interests in a "coup" to oust Wing Commander Warren and Air Commander Weaver and get him appointed Wing Commander.
When he contacted me he never mentioned any wrong doings in the leadership, just that he thought he was more qualified and deserving. I refused to be a part of his endeavor and since he failed to get the position and was "non retained" it is my opinion that he is now on a campaign of pure personal vengeance.
The only way Bryant was successful in getting promoted to Colonel was his agreement to go to the State Staff for two years then retire, leaving that position open for promotion of a deserving Lieutenant Colonel prior to retiring.
I had already retired and had no part in Bryant's promotion. I do know that when it came time for him to live up to his commitment to retire he changed his mind and wanted to be made commander of the 186th.
It seems to me that Bryant used "the good ole boy" rule, that he lambasted, to his own advantage in getting promoted to Colonel. I will admit that he is very clever and has used the press extremely well to promote his campaign.
I wish one of the "investigative reporters" would publish why the "one black pilot" was released from the unit. I know for a fact it wasn't racially motivated. As I recall when I was commander, not many blacks in the unit associated with him. That is another story in itself.
I also wonder why Bryant didn't bring all his allegations to the leadership of the MS ANG when he was still a member of the unit. Were there no wrong doings when he was a part of the unit? I don't think that all the unit leaders became villains after Bryant left the unit nor do I believe that his only reason he wanted to become the unit commander was to "cleanse from the inside!"
After having said all this I don't mean that I think there is no substance to any of the charges made against some members of the 186th, but I just felt that someone should tell a little of the "rest of the story," i.e. the real reason this mess was made public.
I have the utmost confidence in the Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. James Lipscomb, and know he would have handled the matter with due process without doing further damage to the unit. I haven't had an opportunity to read the findings of the investigation, but doesn't it make one wonder if the charges were a little on the "witch hunt" side in that 26 of the allegations made by Bryant were NOT substantiated by the Air Force? It has only been emphasized in the media that 16 of the 42 allegations had merit.
Further I would submit that I feel Meridian as a whole (the community) does not have an appreciation of the economic impact in the area and the outstanding work the members of the 186th have been involved in over many years! As a former resident of Meridian and now a resident of Hattiesburg, we would be more than happy to have the operations here.
Roger B. Howell
Former Commander, 186th ARW
Col., USAF/MS ANG (Retired)
Hattiesburg