XX XXX XXXX
MEMORANDUM FOR CAP COMMANDER
FROM: HQ CAP-USAF/CC
SUBJECT: Resolution of XXXXX Wing IG Complaint
1. In XXX XXXX a member of the XXXXX Wing of the Civil Air Patrol filed a complaint with the CAP-USAF/IG. Because the wording of the complaint indicated potential reprisal, the Air Force chose to conduct the IG investigation using Air Force personnel rather than refer the case to the Civil Air Patrol.
2. The results listed below are supported in the Summary Report of Investigation, which is also attached. They are forwarded for any action you see fit as Commander of Civil Air Patrol.
a. On XX XXX XXXX, the complainant acting as Flight Release Officer authorized a CAP aircraft to land at an unpublished/private airstrip in violation of CAPR 60-1, and was unjustly punished. This practice occurred unpunished both before and after this incident. EXONERATED as to the issue of punishment, but SUSTAINED as to the issue of the practice happening in XXXXX.
b. Complainant was not afforded the opportunity to make a statement or present evidence in his behalf as required by CAPR 62-2, before an assessment of fine. SUSTAINED
c. The complainant's appeal on XX XXX XXXX to Region/CC was not handled IAW CAPR 62-2. SUSTAINED
d. An XXXXX wing aircraft landed at an unpublished airstrip and embarked a non-CAP member in violation of CAP regulations. SUSTAINED as to the issue of landing without Wing commander approval, but EXONERATED as to the issue of embarking a passenger.
e. In a cursory investigation to determine if this was even a valid complaint, the CAP-USAF IG discovered that three individuals involved in this incident, the FRO, and two separate PICs were assessed for aircraft damage while the wing also filed an HSI claim with national HQ. Suggest you investigate whether this is a common practice in the XXXXX Wing. EXONERATED as to the actual billing damages for this aircraft incident, but SUSTAINED in the practice of billing HQ and also collecting damages from members.
3. Because of the emotional content of this case and investigation and the inability to conceal the identity of the complainant, I suggest that you remind all parties involved that CAP does not tolerate reprisal against those using the IG complaints system (CAP does not presently have a regulatory definition of reprisal while the Air Force defines reprisal as 'taking or threatening to take unfavorable personnel action or withholding or threatening to withhold a favorable personnel action on a military member for making or preparing a protected disclosure").
4. I am further concerned at the implication of double billing national headquarters for wing expenses that are also covered by other means. In this particular case, we are talking about the HSI account that is a corporate, non-appropriated dollar account. The investigating officer also uncovered the fact there is no CAP regulatory guidance prohibiting such double billings, but I hope you join me in the opinion that double billing of either Corporate or Federal dollars is not a good practice.
5. Please pass my appreciation to the XXXXX Region and XXXXX Wing Staffs for their cooperation in this investigation.
6. My IG has closed this case with the complainant informing them that any further action is at your discretion.
DENNIS B. PARKHURST, Colonel, USAF
Commander
