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Moseley, Wynne to be asked to resign

Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley are expected to be asked to resign Thursday, Air Force Times has learned.

The stunning development follows a series of high-profile scandals and disagreements between Air Force leadership and Defense Secretary Robert Gates in the past year, during which both the Pentagon and congressional leadership have increasingly expressed frustration about the Air Force’s top bosses.

The last straw appears to be a report on nuclear weapons handling by Navy Adm. Kirkland Donald, director of naval nuclear propulsion. The critical report convinced Gates that changes must be made.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen recalled Moseley to Washington for an early-morning meeting Thursday. Moseley had been hosting a four-star conclave of top Air Force leaders at the thrice-yearly Corona leadership conference at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Following that meeting, Moseley returned to Corona with Air Force public affairs chief Brig. Gen. Darren McDew.

Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England is en route to Wright-Patterson, sources said. He is expected to meet with Wynne to ask for his resignation.

It is not clear how quickly these changes could take effect.

Navy Capt. John Kirby, Mullen’s spokesman, declined to comment but did not deny the story.

It is not yet known who will succeed both men, but Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan McNabb will likely become acting chief of staff.

Sources said other senior officers could also be relieved.