{"id":32625,"date":"2019-02-08T23:46:45","date_gmt":"2019-02-08T23:46:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/02\/08\/fired-wing-commander-who-reached-plea-deal-will-retire-as-major\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:23:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:23:15","slug":"fired-wing-commander-who-reached-plea-deal-will-retire-as-major","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2019\/02\/08\/fired-wing-commander-who-reached-plea-deal-will-retire-as-major\/","title":{"rendered":"Fired wing commander who reached plea deal to retire as major; defense plans appeal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Col. John Howard<\/a>, who was fired from command of the 375th Air Mobility Wing<\/a> at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois in 2017 and was later punished for fraternization and conduct unbecoming an officer, will retire as a major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a Friday email, Maj. Ryan DeCamp, a spokesman for the 18th Air Force at Scott, said the officer grade determination has concluded. His retirement at a lower rank will cost him about $20,000 per year in his retired pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Howard was fired from wing command in December 2017<\/a>, five months after assuming command. Last September, the 18th Air Force said he had accepted non-judicial punishments for conduct unbecoming and fraternization with a junior enlisted airman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Howard initially also faced charges of sexual assault and cruelty and maltreatment, but those charges were dropped. The Air Force said last September that the victim decided against testifying in a court-martial proceeding against Howard.<\/p>\n\n\n\t