Col. Jeffrey Smiley’s record should be made public by Air Force, Guard - Air Force Community - Air Force Times

Col. Jeffrey Smiley’s record should be made public by Air Force, Guard

When the Alabama Air National Guard commander flies an F-16 to visit his family and takes home nearly $96,000 for unauthorized compensatory time, taxpayers deserve to know how he was punished — if at all. So far, both the Guard and Air Force have refused to say.

Flying the Fighting Falcon and the extra pay are two of four Air Force policies violated by Col. Jeffrey Smiley of the 187th Fighter Wing, according to a Guard investigation. Smiley also pressured subordinates to join the National Guard Association of the United States and failed to conduct semiannual climate surveys.

A report of the investigation, released by the Air Force under a Freedom of Information Act request, does not address any action taken against Smiley. Another request for information, according to the Guard, will not be acted on until at least March.

The complaint that prompted the investigation was filed two years ago. An investigation by the Alabama Air National Guard found no substance to any of eight allegations. After a review of the investigation, the Air Force inspector general’s office ordered another one — and another one. The Guard officials substantiated three of the complaints. The inspector general found merit to a fourth.

Smiley is still going to work every day. Other wing commanders have lost their jobs for everything from bullying airmen to inadequate administrative oversight to playing favorites.

Right now, taxpayers have no idea if Smiley has been disciplined or if any safeguards were put in place to keep others from abusing their positions.

It’s long past time for answers to those questions.