The commander of the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron was relieved of duty Thursday based on investigators' findings regarding a July training accident that left one squadron member dead.
Col. Elizabeth Shaw was relieved due to a loss of confidence in her ability to command, according to a Friday news release from Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina, where the squadron is based.
Col. Kenneth Moss, commander of the 43rd Airlift Group, made his decision based on information from a ground accident investigation board's report and Air Force Office of Special Investigation's preliminary findings regarding the July 17 accident that resulted in the death of Staff Sgt. Timothy Wright, the release said.
Playing his part in a hostage negotiation scenario, Wright fell in front of a Humvee and was struck. Despite immediate life-saving measures by nurses and trained flight medical technicians who were already on scene for the exercise, Wright died at a hospital a short time later.
Humvee driver distraction combined with 11th-hour changes to the day's events contributed to the accident, according to an accident investigation report released Dec. 2
"Air Force operational risk management principles and safety standards exist to prevent accidents and loss of life," Moss said in the Friday release. "Commanders are responsible for ensuring compliance with these standards. "In the 43rd Airlift Group, we have renewed our focus on managing risk during all operations through active involvement of leadership at all levels."
43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron chief nurse Lt. Col. Russ Frantz has been named the interim 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron commander.