Two top officers from the Air Force dismissed within the same month, separate occurrences.
High-ranking military officials go tumbling out of their prestigious positions - Brigadier General Erik Quigley and Colonel Julie Sposito Salceies, to be exact. Both faced the firing squad within a fortnight, following extensive internal investigations, according to the Air Force.
On January 28, General Duke Z. Richardson, head of the Air Force Materiel Command, canned Brig. Gen. Erik Quigley, who was serving as the program executive officer for the bombers directorate at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. The general's dismissal came due to a significant erosion of confidence in his leadership skills, according to an AFMC announcement. An internal probe had uncovered unsavory personal relationships, leading to his ousting.
Just twelve days prior, on January 16, Colonel Julie Sposito Salceies was shown the door from her command post at the 613th Air Operations Center by Pacific Air Forces commander, General Kevin B. Schneider. A PACAF communiqué stated the removal was due to a dip in confidence in her ability to manage the organization. However, upon further questions by Air & Space Forces Magazine, a spokesperson revealed that Sposito Salceies had been caught red-handed violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), leading to her relief from command.
Brigadier General Quigley was responsible for overseeing the sustainment and modernization of the Air Force's B-1, B-2, and B-52 fleets. His tenure saw him guides the major upgrade program for USAF B-52s, which incorporated new engines, radar, cockpits, and additional modifications to keep these mighty Stratofortresses aloft for more years to come. However, the responsibility for the new B-21 Raider, currently under the control of the Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office, did not fall under Quigley's jurisdiction.
Prior to his current position, Quigley served as the head of the Minuteman III systems directorate from 2020 to 2022. He also spent time as director of staff at AFMC and director of the command's Digital Acceleration Task Force. After his dismissal, he was reassigned to a role within AFMC headquarters.
Before taking charge of the 613th AOC in June, Sposito Salceies commanded the 609th Air Operations Center - the Combined Air Operations Center in the Middle East, one of the busiest commands inarguably one of the most intricate regions of the world. The 613th provides command and control of U.S. air assets in the Indo-Pacific, a more extensive territory. A seasoned air battle manager, Sposito Salceies was moved to a position at PACAF headquarters post her dismissal.
Senior Editor David Roza contributes to this report.
- The Space Force could potentially consider implementing stricter guidelines for leadership conduct, similar to those that led to the dismissal of Brigadier General Erik Quigley, to ensure the sustainment and modernization of their own space-focused projects are not compromised by lapses in integrity.
- As the B-21 Raider program progresses, it may be prudent for the Air Force to clearly define the responsibilities of each team leader to avoid any potential conflicts of interest, akin to the situation Colonel Julie Sposito Salceies found herself in, which ultimately led to her relief from command.
- In light of the recent events involving the dismissals of high-ranking officials like Quigley and Sposito Salceies, financial institutions might want to reassess their investment strategies in defense and aerospace projects, considering the impact of leadership scandals on long-term business relationships and public trust.
