It was reported almost two weeks ago that Maj. Gen. James Post, vice commander of Air Combat Command told a group of officers attending Tactics Review Board conference at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada that, “If anyone accuses me of saying this, I will deny it…  Anyone who is passing information to Congress about A-10 capabilities is committing treason.”

The crap started hitting the proverbial fan as the 457 and growing comments demonstrate on the story I linked above.  (I even engaged in some spirited discussion about the General’s behavior and the A10.)  A week later Senator McCain weighed in requesting an investigation.  It is clearly inappropriate and border line illegal to prevent troops from exercising their rights to contact their representatives.  For a flag rank officer to do it goes beyond the pale.

General Post’s defenders initially stated the general was using hyperbole.  CPT Andrew Schrag, Air Combat Command spokesman said, “We are aware of the concerns surrounding the alleged remarks made by General Post. We take this matter very seriously and are fully cooperating with the Secretary of the Air Force Inspector General’s investigation,” as the Air Force acknowledges an investigation.

Senator’s conveyed their displeasure to Gen. Mark Welsh, the Air Force chief of staff who was testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee.  Senator Ayotte voiced concern that the Air Force attempting to identify the officers that spoke to Congress about the Air Force’s attempts to mothball the A-10.  General Welsh  said he was unaware of any such internal effort.  “I would be astonished by that,” he said, adding, “I would not condone it.”

Blaming the messenger isn’t something new.  The Superintendent of the Air Force Academy tried to shift blame onto the expelled cadet who exposed the Academy’s informant program a little more than a year ago.  The cadet was never reinstated.  I’ll be watching what happens to General Post.