Air Force members on Jack Teixeira’s unit disciplined, commander relieved

[KARAH RUCKER]

MORE THAN A DOZEN MILITARY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN “DISCIPLINED” IN CONNECTION TO JACK TEIXEIRA’S CLASSIFIED INTELLIGENCE LEAK THAT PRODUCED MANY MEDIA BOMBSHELLS THIS YEAR.

ACCORDING TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL’S INQUIRY THAT WAS COMPLETED OVER THE SUMMER BUT JUST RELEASED THIS WEEK, THE COLONEL OVER TEIXEIRA’S UNIT WAS “RELIEVED FROM HIS POSITION” FOLLOWING THE INVESTIGATION. 

THE AIR FORCE REPORT DID NOT POINT TO OTHER MILITARY OFFICERS COLLUDING WITH JACK TEIXEIRA, AND NO ONE WAS REPORTEDLY AWARE HE WAS POSTING THE INFORMATION ONLINE. BUT RATHER 15 MEMBERS WERE FOUND TO HAVE KNOWN OF SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY BUT NEVER INFORMED HIGHER-UPS.

TEIXEIRA WAS INDICTED BACK IN JUNE, ACCUSED OF RELEASING MILITARY SECRETS ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE DISCORD, INVOLVING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION ON AMERICA’S SPYING EFFORTS ON RUSSIA AND UKRAINE’S MILITARY PLANNING AND STRATEGIES. IT WAS DEEMED THE BIGGEST NATIONAL SECURITY BREACH IN AT LEAST A DECADE.

[AIR FORCE SECRETARY FRANK KENDALL’S STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE INSPECTOR GENERAL’S REPORT] 

Every Airman and Guardian is entrusted with the solemn duty to safeguard our nation’s classified defense information. Our national security demands leaders at every level protect critical assets, ensuring they do not fall into the hands of those who would do the United States or our allies and partners harm.

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE WATCHDOG’S INVESTIGATION FOUND AT LEAST THREE OF TEIXEIRA’S SUPERVISORS “FAILED TO TAKE PROPER ACTION IN AT LEAST FOUR SEPARATE SECURITY INCIDENTS” INVOLVING TEIXEIRA. THE REPORT ALSO FOUND A LACK OF PROPER SUPERVISION OVER NIGHT SHIFT OPERATIONS – WHICH IS THE SHIFT TEIXEIRA WORKED – WITH TOP SECURITY CLEARANCE.

THE INVESTIGATION POINTED TO SEVERAL SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED.

MEANWHILE, TEXEIRA IS CURRENTLY AWAITING TRIAL. HE PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO THE GOVERNMENT’S CHARGES BACK IN JUNE.