Airlift Wing Commander Fired Amid Allegations of Inappropriate Relationship

A commander at an airlift wing at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, has been removed from his post amid an ongoing investigation into allegations he had an unprofessional relationship with another service member.

Col. Jaron Roux, the 437th Airlift Wing Commander, was relieved Thursday by Maj. Gen. Kenneth T. Bibb Jr., head of the 18th Air Force, for lack of confidence in his ability to lead, and for an alleged unprofessional relationship and fraternization, according to a release. In the military, fraternization typically refers to an inappropriate peer relationship between an officer and a subordinate.

An investigation into Roux began March 11, Capt. Alexis Burdon, spokeswoman for the 18th, said. The investigation into allegations of misconduct is ongoing, she told Military.com.

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"There have currently been no charges preferred against him," Burdon said.

Burdon could not comment further on details into the pending investigation.

Roux, who assumed command of the 437th in August, has been reassigned to Air Mobility Command headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

"Commanders are placed in a special position of trust and are expected to exemplify the highest standards of conduct personally and professionally," Bibb said in the release. "I must have complete confidence in our wing commanders to lead airmen, maintain good order and discipline, and execute the mission in an environment where professional relationships and the Air Force core values serve as the foundation for our actions."

Col. Christopher Robinson, the 437th vice commander, will serve as the wing's top officer for the time being, officials said.

According to his official biography, Roux graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in 2000. Following pilot training, he was assigned to the Charleston base to fly the C-17 Globemaster III. He returned to the academy as the executive officer to the Commandant of Cadets in 2009.

Prior to his role at the 437th, Roux was the vice commander of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.

Roux has more than 4,100 hours, including 900 combat hours, in the C-17, KC-10 Extender, T-37B Tweet, T-1A Jayhawk and T-52A trainer, his bio states. His staff tours include assignments at the Academy, the Joint Staff at the Pentagon and at Air Mobility Command.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

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