Three Hornets From Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 Have Gone Down Since October, 2015

The Marine Corps has relieved Lt. Col. Wade Workman of his duties as commander of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 following two accidents since he assumed command less than a year ago.

Lt. Col. Workman (pictured) took command of the squadron on January 15. Since then, the unit has lost two F/A-18 Hornets. One of those accidents resulted in the fatal injury of Maj. Richard Norton, who went down July 28 near Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA. A third Hornet from the squadron went down in October 2015, before Workman took command.

But The Marine Corps Times reports that the accidents were not a factor in the decision to oust Workman, according to an email from Capt. Kurt Stahl, a spokesman for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. "The decision to relieve Lt. Col. Workman was unrelated to recent mishaps,” Stahl said. “This decision was based on issues concerning command climate within the squadron.”

Stahl said that Maj. Gen. Mark Wise, commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fired Workman because of a "loss of trust and confidence" in his ability to serve as a squadron commander.

Stahl did not give specifics about the decision. "There was an unhealthy command climate that negatively impacted trust within the unit that is critical to effective operations," he wrote.

(USMC image)

FMI: www.marines.mil