Air Force Removes General Who Accused Pilot Lobbyists of Treason

The two-star general who deployed the word “treason” in criticizing airmen who spoke to Congress about preserving the A-10 Warthog attack aircraft in favor of the F-35 has been removed from his position at the Air Combat Command, the Air Force announced.

Maj. Gen. James Post, vice commander of the Air Combat Command, reportedly told attendees at a January conference in Nevada that lobbying by retired pilots seeking to prevent the A-10 from being phased out was treasonous. Complaints within the Air Force community and from lawmakers prompted an inspector general investigation, and the report on that investigation was completed in March.

Post’s comments had “a chilling effect on some of the attendees and caused them to feel constrained from communicating with members of Congress,” according to the Air Force.

His “choice of words had the effect of attempting to prevent some members from lawfully communicating with Congress,” which is a violation of the U.S. Code and Defense Department directives, whether that was his intention or not, the IG found. Gen. Hawk Carlisle, commander of the Air Combat Command, issued a letter of reprimand as a result of the findings, and relieved Post as his vice commander.

In the report, Post insisted that he “never said, nor implied that it was treasonous to speak openly with Congress. My only intent was to instill loyalty in the audience. In the spirit of non-attribution, I spoke candidly about airmen that have openly undermined senior leadership. I apologize for any embarrassment or negative attention.”

In a later statement, Post added that the controversy has “served as a distraction from the important work of the command.” But he again offered a “humble apology” about his “poor choice of words.”

Post’s next assignment has not been announced.