To all members of California Wing,
Major General Tony Pineda called and relieved me of command effective today. The recent audit of CAWG finances showed that while there is no money missing from CAWG, there is disagreement on the amount of restricted funds in CAWG's books. A number of you have been working to help clarify the situation and I owe you thanks for all your time and effort. MGen Pineda feels appointing a new wing commander would be beneficial in rectifying this situation. He has appointed LtCol Jesus Muniz as the interim commander. LtCol Muniz was recently a member of Sq 144 and is currently serving as the Colorado Wing Director of Aerospace Education. He can be reached at [email redacted]
I would like to thank all the members of CAWG for their hard work and dedication to our missions, to our squadrons, and to CAWG. I treasure the time I have spent with each of you. Let's all work together to continue to make CAWG the best in CAP.
Virginia Nelson
:: This came over the wire just a little while ago.
What the HELL is going on? In the last year, we've lost HOW MANY NEC and NB members to untimely departures? (and by untimely, I mean "did not leave of their own true volition")
We've heard this theme before here on CAPBlog: Doesn't the NEC or the Board of Governors give a crap about what seems to be a systemic gutting of the higher echelons of the corporation in favor of loading the board with sychophants and "yes men"?
You have to wonder: Why do you need to go outside of your wing to get a new wing commander? Better yet, why is your new wing commander a staff officer of a wing TWO STATES away from where he lives?
Inquiring minds and all....
I personally don't feel Pineda should be making decisions like this until he's been cleared of the investigations that hes under right now.
Posted by: Major Cranford, CAP | March 25, 2007 at 20:57
Just to Clarify, Lt Col Jesus Muniz is living in CA. He was serving as the CO Wing DAE as Colorado did not have a willing person and Colorado is in the middle of getting ready for its CI. He was doing the work by Email and phone from CA.
Posted by: RogueCAF | March 25, 2007 at 22:14
"... until he's been cleared of the investigations that hes under right now."
Yeah, right. Like that'll ever happen. Did anyone ever really believe they would come out with the findings publicly in a timely manner, if ever (more likely the latter)?
Sometimes I wonder what the higher-ups are thinking. This story is just another example of the ridiculous things people are capable of.
Posted by: Matt | March 25, 2007 at 23:09
Hmm. That seems to be a popular thing in Colorado. I am a Colorado Wing Staff Member and I live in Arizona. I wonder if other wings have similar quandries? *goes to google*
Posted by: FO Martin | March 26, 2007 at 18:58
He's not done yet folks... The National Vice Commander skated through being outright fired at the last national meeting due to all of us who knew blowing the whistle on that one... but she will not likely make the cut for re-election - that would be the back up plan so that Levitch (a Pineda Puppy) would walk right in to the Vice-CC spot, the original plan all along!
Look at where Levitch came from - look at HIS past and when, where how and why he got back into CAP... look who he scored a civilian job for! Look at HER records closely, I will say no more...
The heads will just keep on rolling, and you cannot say that we all did not tell you so, we will continuously remind those who doubted us now when the facts in the future reveal just how right we are!
Posted by: flyguy1986 | March 27, 2007 at 15:41
What is the time limit on the Testingate Investigation? Does anyone know if the IG will release his findings publicly?
Posted by: TJohnson | April 08, 2007 at 19:25
OK. Here's my dilemma:
A quick look at the online system reveals that there are 8 of us "Pinedas" in the entire CAP organization. Three of those appear to be "relatives" of the national Commander. That leaves five of us out here who risk being linked to these scandals anytime we show up to CAP functions.
I simply cannot show up to any CAP exercises/meetings/functions,etc. wearing a CAP nametag, without someone (or almost everyone) giving me the "YOU S.O.B." look, or treating me like a leper. I'm tired of it. I have to go on to explain that I have gotten where I am in CAP on my own, and not due to some "Yes DAD" appointment. I'm not even related!
I've pretty much given up on any idea of reaching any higher office in CAP due to the tarnished image that the last name has received based on the "alleged" actions of this man. Can anyone ever imagine a Wing commander somewhere in the continental US with the last name of "Pineda"? I bet half the world would suspect foul play.
I'm moving to Guam.
"A cleaner Pineda".
Posted by: a_cleaner_pineda | April 08, 2007 at 21:58
"A cleaner Pineda".
You are indeed hamstrung... for those who don't realize it yet, apparently Pineda en espanol is very much like the "Jones", "Smith" thing here in the USA... just Google Pineda and you'll see... Sorry clean guy for the bad wrap... there are a lot of wonderful Pineda's out there... just this one really bad one... for some great reading, check out:
http://360.yahoo.com/rayhayden_33321
Best wishes!
Posted by: flyguy1986 | April 09, 2007 at 17:20
Updated new website:
http://vdo1.us/capinsights.html
Posted by: flyguy1986 | April 19, 2007 at 21:16
Just heard that the real reason Pineda ousted the CAWG CC is that being a woman she might be a vote for Courter to remain as Nat'l VC. Just for fun, check out Courter's 2006 Memo for Consideration on the following link:
http://www.capsfuture.com/uploads/Col_Amy_Courter_s_CV_Candidate_Request_May_06.pdf
We should be honored to have someone of General Courter's accomplishments representing the Civil Air Patrol.
Posted by: TJohnson | April 24, 2007 at 20:31
Sorry about the cumbersome link. You can cut and paste the following two lines to make up the web address:
http://www.capsfuture.com/uploads/Col_Amy_Courter_s_
CV_Candidate_Request_May_06.pdf
Posted by: TJohnson | April 24, 2007 at 20:39