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WAS COL. JULIE SPOSITO-SALCEIES FIRED FOR BEING A WOMAN?


By Buddy Blouin

The Air Force's 613th Air Operations Center is under new leadership after Col. Julie Sposito-Salceies was relieved from her duty leading the unit. Despite no real reason for the firing, Col. Sposito-Salceies is leaving her position as the Trump administration takes over and eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. It’s worth noting that among other things, Col. Sposito-Salceies was known for helping elevate women during her time leading Airmen.

Col. Julie Sposito-Salceies Relieved From Duty

At Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Col. Julie Sposito-Salceies was the leader of the U.S. Air Force's 613th Air Operations Center in Hawaii. She is being replaced after the orders to do so from the Commander of Pacific Air Forces, Gen. Kevin Schneider.

"​Commanders are held to the highest standards because the Airmen, and the incredibly consequential missions they plan and execute, demand it," said Gen. Schneider.

The official reason being given for her relief of command is "due to loss of confidence in her ability to command the organization." However, such phrases have long been used to provide a blanket statement, avoiding specifics in the public eye.

Suspect Timing

It’s worth noting that the relief of Col. Julie Sposito-Salceies didn’t come from The Pentagon, but the optics are still a notable part of the dialogue surrounding the decision.

The Privacy Act of 1974 helps military branches hide behind more coverage without having to disclose specifics for such personnel moves.

However, coincidentally, President Donald Trump is now in office, the campaign promises have been aimed against inclusionary programs for the military, and now a notable woman helping other women is out of command.

Furthermore, part of Trump’s campaign specifically aims to remove Officers who promoted DEI programs.

We’ve already seen such moves take place in only his first week in office, with Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, the first uniformed woman put as the head of any military branch, being removed.

Further still, the Department of the Air Force's Barrier Analysis Working Groups, which worked to help women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ troops improve their quality of life, has been eliminated.

No Known Violations or Investigations

Making the optics surrounding the removal of Col. Julie Sposito-Salceies even worse is that the Pacific Air Forces is showing there is no investigation for misconduct on her part.

So far, Sposito-Salceies has not been separated from service and is still a member of the USAF.

Military members are held to the standards within the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), of which, Sposito-Salceies does not seem to have violated.

Col. Julie Sposito-Salceies Military Service

Sposito-Salceies became Commander of the 613th Air Operations Center in June 2024, following her role as Commander of the 609th Air Operations Center in Qatar.

Commissioned in 2000 after graduating from Penn State, she was the first woman to lead the 609th and an advocate for more women in leadership roles.

She also taught at the Army War College as part of the Women, Peace, and Security Program.

"I taught how conflict impacts gender and how, if we looked at plans through this additional lens, we could create more effective plans from combat to humanitarian assistance," said Sposito-Salceies.

The 613th Air Operations Center oversees air and space operations in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command region.

Whoever takes over will need to meet the operational readiness demanded of the Pacific region, however, questions surrounding the circumstances relieving Col. Julie Sposito-Salceies are likely to remain for some time to come.

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