European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 1, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday. May 1.1992 the stars and stripes Page 5navy criticized in sexual abuse report Washington apr the Navy s inspector general issued a scathing report thursday that described in graphic detail the sexual molestation of 26 women at a 1991 convention of naval aviators and charged top Navy admirals had a tacitly approved Quot of such activity for years. The naval investigative service said its seven month investigation shooed the women Mote thaw half of a i to Titi affirm mfr red a Xvi icing if fat it i of w Mil  the aseged misconduct occurred at a convention of Navy and Marine corps aviators in Las vegas. The inspector general. Rear adm. George w. Davis said a dosing ranks and obfuscation Quot on the part of the officers who suppose thy had knowledge of the incidents has made it Imp Rifle to know the a nature severity and number Quot of incidents that occurred. In an interview. Undersecretary of the Navy Dan Howard said no do culinary action against senior Navy officials was coated mated. The rim. He said is a what we should do Stoma Point on to a teach our people. The difference Between acceptable and unacceptable  Navy investigators interviewed women who complained of being subjected to a hotel Halway a a Gauntlet Quot a nightly event that vol cd up to 200 men. According to one witness the Gauntlet on one particular night involved 40 to 50 women and lasted two hours. Investigators said 26 women were a sexually molested to varying degrees Quot and complained. A the attacks ranged from being patted on the buttocks to having other portions of their Anatomy groped and grabbed Quot said the report which included More than 2,000 pages of testimony. When one of the females pleaded for help from a follow officer he turned on her and grabbed her breasts according to the testimony. In one Case a an obviously extremely intoxicated female minor. Apparently lost consciousness and was passed up the Gauntlet where she was partially disrobed Quot the report stated. A maid in he interview with the associated press said the senior Navy leadership was a disgusted very frustrated that we do not receive the full cooperation of everyone in the  the report said similar activities apparently have taken place at the annual conventions since 1996. All with the knowledge of senior Navy officials. A the activities which took place. If not tacitly approved were allowed to continue by the leadership of the aviation Community and the Tail Hook association a dam said. The report said that when one female officer attempted to report her experience she was told she should have a expected Quot such activity on the part of Drunken aviators and that her career would be ruined for raising a complaint. One of the victims was the aide to rear adm. Jack Snyder who was relieved of he command in december by the chief of naval operations. Adm. Frank Kelso ii. Snyder who had been told of the incident by his aide was disciplined for failing to take a timely  no other naval officers have stepped Forward to take Rispon virility for the incident which Kelso has called a an embarrassment Quot to the Navy. The Tail Hook association which sponsored the convention As a a professional development Quot symposium for aviators b a Booster dub for both retired and Active Navy and Marine corp fliers. It takes its name from the Hooks that snare planes Landing on aircraft carriers. Davis report painted a picture of a three Day. Taxpayer subsidized convention gone wild with hard drinking sexual carousing and $23,000 in damage to the hotel. About 3,000 to 5,000 people attend. Navy officers arc flown on government aircraft to the event and Are considered to be on a temporary duty while attending. The conduct the inspector general said a included strippers who generally ended up nude and participated in simulated sexual acts with members of the audience the showing of pornographic films the practice of shaving womens1 legs and other body parts women encouraged to expose their breasts in Exchange for Squadron Tec shirts and obscene drink  Davis said some of the women who attended the event a recognized the Gauntlet for what it was and went through it voluntarily. He report did t say whether they were among those who later complained of sexual abuse. Years ago May 1.1962 a on orders from abandoned Nauf Raby in toe Fairand islands to dispute and ordered suspension of Mittory and economic Aid to argentina.20 years ago May 1.1972 a Oom Maust hoops and tanks drove to Fie outskirts of South Vietnam s northernmost provincial Capri of of Angyri and . Advisers pred out of Souto Vietnam s 3rd div command pos there. 30years ago May 1.1962 a test plot Joe wafer soared 48vtmlbs High aboard a Nasa x-15 a toe highest Ever flown in e Pilot consoled aircraft. Nasa hoped to apply a a from toe tight to Chan tights of40 years ago May 1.1962 a the people of Israel get abraded Toee fourth Utah in Dence Day with prayers of to Ancs Gning a Timmy parades and Al Bonato officials of nomination of Shalikashvil to head forces Fry Ray Bowden i Rosemary Sawyer so years ago today nato officials on thursday approved the nomination of former Sci Deforg Community commander la Gen. John m. Shalikashvil to Lead Alliance forces in Europe. Shalikashvil who will be promoted to general will also command the us. European Good. He replaces Gen. John r. Galvin who retires in june after guiding the command through five years that recorded such startling events As the reunification of Germany and the collapse of nato s former foe the Warsaw pact. The 55-year-old army officer b currently assistant to Gen. Cohn l Powell chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. Shalikashvil could not be reached for comment thursday. He appointment Marks the first time a president has passed Over the ranks of existing four Star officers to appoint the supreme Allied commander Europe. Gen. Alexander m. Hag jr., commander from 1974 to 1979. Had reached general rank before temporarily resigning he commission to act As White House chief of staff. President Bush s nomination was also unusual in that Shalikashvil came up cram the Enisley ranks unending officer candidate school in contrast to one of the Nihi Aiyu a  academies. After change of command ceremonies scheduled for june 23 my 24. Shalt Ash a i Wii Rny and he former Boss Gen. Grosbie e. Saint us. Army Europe com Nunder. Shaka Shvili served As Saint s Deputy from 1989 to 1991. The two also worked together from 1984 until 1985 when Saint led 1st army div and Shalikashvil was assistant division commander. Saint could not he reached for comment thursday. While assigned to Heidelberg. Shalikashvil was called upon last year to command operation provide Comfort in Turkey from april to july. The Relief operation supplied Protection food and supplies to kurd in Northern Iraq. When in command of the Heidelberg Community the Pohst bom officer spearheaded a drive to be recognized As an a army Community of excellence a which was achieved in 1991 and again after he departure. The awards which earned More than $2 million for the Community recognizes programs and service that improve the Quality of life at military installations. La Gol David Huff commander of the 411th base support in in Heidelberg worked closely on the Community of excellence project with the army officer who a better known in town As  Huff described he former Boss As a above everything else a people  a the had an uncanny Knack to recognize the potential in any individual and draw that potential  likewise Huff said a Ash Ali could motivate groups of people to accomplish any goal. A i was tickled Pink when i heard that of he nomination Quot be said. A i  think of a better Guy for the  the highly personable Shalikashvil b Abo credited with being the chief architect of usage urn a Community command plan. The plan realigned the army a communities in Europe under Hub communities called area support groups and eliminated some Middle layers of management. The 33-year army Veteran who Speaks German Poluh and Engleh with a slight accent was born in Warsaw of georgian parents who later immigrated to the United states. Along with he time in Germany. Shall a Shvili a military assignments mostly with Field artillery units took him to Vietnam Korea arid Italy. He holds a Bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Bradley University in Peoria. Iii., and a masters degree in International relations from George Washington University in Washington . Shalikashvil and he wife Joan have one son Brant who b attending Washington state University in Pullman. Shalikashvil will assume the Post at a time when prompted by the end of the cold War the United states and Many of its allies arc considering ways to make deep cuts in defense budgets. Nato troop strength b expected to he Cut by at least 25 percent across the Hoard in Central Europe. . Troops Are scheduled to be Cut from a cold War level of More than 300.000 to 150.000 by 1995. For the past eight months in Washington Shalikashvil has represented Powell in the area of a the inter Agency policymaking process particularly in issues related to National Security  according to he official biography. Safe s Peksens now brigadier general u h sum ram Stein a Germany a Rudolf f. Peksens the assistant Deputy chief of staff for operations at us air forces in Europe Headquarters was promoted thursday from colonel to brigadier Gen eral Peksens 48. Received he general a Star at an afternoon ceremony at Ramstein a. He Abo was presented with the heraldic plate an award that honors those who have distinguished themselves in support of the state of Rhein land Pfalz. Prior to he current Job. Peksens commanded the 52nd tac fighter Wing now the 52nd fighter Wing at Span Dahlem a Germany. He deployed to in Ciurlik a Turkey As vice commander of the 7440th composite Wing during operation desert storm. He commanded the Wing during operation provide Comfort. He other assignments have included commanding he 26th tac recon Wing at we Brucken a Germany and the joint . Forces in Europe/. Army Europe Warrior preparation Center at Einsiedler Hof air station Germany