THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 30, 1997 TAG: 9701300396
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 46 lines
The Air Force has put on hold the promotion of the general who was in charge at the base in Saudi Arabia hit by a truck bomb that killed 19 airmen, officials said Wednesday.
The move delays the advancement of Brig. Gen. Terryl J. Schwalier to two-star rank until the completion of an investigation into the bombing, the Air Force said in a statement.
The promotion has been the subject of some controversy in recent months. It was approved by the Senate before the June 25 bombing last year at Khobar Towers.
A group of airmen from Langley Air Force Base in Hampton were en route to the base when the explosion occurred, and were to stay in the building closest to the blast site.
Schwalier's promotion was not to go into effect until Feb. 1.
``The delay does not in any way reflect a decision on Schwalier's promotion to major general. It is simply a prudent step given that these matters are still under review,'' the Air Force said.
An internal Air Force study, which has not been formally approved, had absolved Schwalier of major blame in the incident.
However, a separate task force investigation led by a retired Army general criticized Schwalier harshly, saying he had not paid enough attention to security.
The promotion still might go forward at some time, said one military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity. ``It is a delay. It is a neutral step to take until the (internal Air Force) report is complete,'' the officer said.
The Air Force did not say when it expects a final version of its internal report will be finished, but some officials indicated that it could be a matter of weeks.
Some within the Air Force believe Schwalier was wrongly blamed for the bombing, given the difficulties of dealing with security matters in a closed nation such as Saudi Arabia.
However, some in Congress and elsewhere see the advancement of an officer whose diligence has been criticized as the latest example of a military with lax discipline at higher levels. ILLUSTRATION: Terryl J. Schwalier