CMSgt. William Gurney, former command chief of Air Force Materiel Command, will face a general court martial on Dec. 6 at Scott AFB, Ill., for alleged sexual misconduct with subordinates, Air Mobility Command officials announced Thursday. Gurney faces a total of 20 charges. These include: specifications of adultery, misuse of government equipment and his official position, wrongful sexual contact, indecent conduct, and maltreatment of subordinates, according to AMC’s release. An investigation by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations began in November 2009, around the same time that Gurney was relieved from his position as command chief. AFOSI found that Gurney had unprofessional relationships with 10 enlisted women. He continues to perform administrative duties at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. (See also Dayton Daily News report)
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.