Air Force removes security squadron commander at F.E. Warren

The removal of the commander of the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base follows a series of tragic incidents involving the base's security forces. These events, which occurred over the past six months, have raised concerns within the Air Force.

On July 20, Airman Brayden Lovan was fatally shot on base after another airman, in what was described as a "joking manner," pointed an M18 pistol at him. Following the incident, members of the 90th Security Forces Group made false statements, leading the shooting to initially be reported as a misfire. This prompted Air Force Global Strike Command to suspend the use of the M18 pistol temporarily. In August, Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen, the airman who pointed the weapon, was arrested but later released. Tragically, White-Allen was found dead in his dormitory in October.

In August, another airman from the same group was killed in an off-base shooting, with a fellow airman being charged with involuntary manslaughter. Later, in September, an airman from the 90th Security Forces Group died in Colorado in what appeared to be a murder-suicide.

In mid-October, Col. Jeremy Sheppard, the commander of the 90th Security Forces Group, convened an all-hands meeting to address the recent incidents. Lt. Col. David Lycan, the deputy commander of the group, has been appointed as the interim commander of the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron.

Col. Hiatt, who had taken over as commander of the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron in June 2024, was relieved of his duties following these events. His removal comes shortly after a visit by Gen. S.L. Davis, the head of Air Force Global Strike Command, who had been on base to discuss nuclear arsenal modernization. During his visit, Davis also met with personnel from the security forces and maintenance teams.

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• Air Force relieves security squadron commander at F.E. Warren