Lt. Col. Jason Moehle, the commander of the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Misawa Air Base in Japan who oversaw maintenance of its famed “Wild Weasel” F-16s, was relieved of his duties Monday.
Col. Rognald Christensen, commander of the 35th Maintenance Group, fired Moehle “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command,” said Col. Kristopher Struve, commander of the 35th Fighter Wing, in a statement Wednesday.
“A decision of this magnitude is never easy to make, but it’s the right decision in ensuring we’re maintaining the highest standards of leadership in the 35th Fighter Wing’s ranks,” Struve said.
According to information provided by the Air Force Personnel Center, Moehle took command of the squadron in June 2018. He entered active duty in June 2004 and commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He is a 21A aircraft maintenance officer whose decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal.
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The 35th Fighter Wing, which has 44 F-16CM Fighting Falcon aircraft, is the Air Force’s leading Wild Weasel organization. If a conflict were to erupt with a nation that possesses air defenses such as surface-to-air missiles, the Wild Weasels would likely be among the first sent in to take out those enemy defenses and clear the way for other aircraft.
Lt. Col. Clarence McRae has assumed command of the squadron until further notice.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to remove an incorrect reference to a previous aircraft mishap.
Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.
