Favoritism cited in firing of wing commander - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Favoritism cited in firing of wing commander

A wing commander was ousted from his post at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., in late March for showing favoritism toward a subordinate officer, according to base officials.

Col. David “Iron” Orr, who oversaw the 66th Air Base Wing, was relieved of command March 26 by Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds, commander of the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom and the senior officer at the Materiel Command installation.

“I took this action based on an assessment which concluded that Col. Orr had exhibited undue favoritism related to a subordinate officer, and as a result, failed to provide a complete and candid assessment to me, the center commander,” Bowlds wrote in a letter e-mailed to Hanscom personnel. “In the Air Force, we hold our commanders to the highest of standards. No commander ever wishes to take such an action against a subordinate commander, but I firmly believe this action is warranted by the circumstances.”

Bowlds also said Orr “served the Air Force with distinction throughout his career.”

Orr’s replacement as commander of the 66th is Col. Charles F. Thompson, who had been the wing’s vice commander since July.