Shaffer
05-19-03, 01:07 PM
Marine Corps headquarters has warned aviators not to take meals and lodging from private companies that provide fuel to military aircraft.
The warning came after an investigation last year into aviators stopping at the Fresno, Calif., airport, who were receiving gas and repairs to F-18 Hornets and other Marine aircraft.
Competitors complained and a Defense Criminal Investigative Service probe ensued.
Its report said "pilots were offered gifts and gratuities to include meals and hotel rooms, which were accepted," says a memo from Marine Corps headquarters we obtained. "The appearance of favoritism, in that exchanging gratuities to induce aircrew to utilize [Fresno airport] services is prohibited by the DoD joint ethics regulation."
But some Marines we spoke to say the whole Fresno-Marine relationship was overblown by investigators. They said the fuel vendor made pizzas and sodas available during fueling. If the aircraft needed repair, he provided a hotel room. Marines, who pay for the gas with government credit cards, said the Fresno pump became popular with aviators, especially on the weekends, because military stations were often closed.
Nonetheless, the headquarters memo ordered squadron commanders to inform fliers that the practice should stop:
"Emphasis should be placed on ensuring air crew are familiar with use of flight package/aviation fuel card procedures prior to refueling away from parent air station and the DoD joint ethics regulation to preclude further occurrences."
The warning came after an investigation last year into aviators stopping at the Fresno, Calif., airport, who were receiving gas and repairs to F-18 Hornets and other Marine aircraft.
Competitors complained and a Defense Criminal Investigative Service probe ensued.
Its report said "pilots were offered gifts and gratuities to include meals and hotel rooms, which were accepted," says a memo from Marine Corps headquarters we obtained. "The appearance of favoritism, in that exchanging gratuities to induce aircrew to utilize [Fresno airport] services is prohibited by the DoD joint ethics regulation."
But some Marines we spoke to say the whole Fresno-Marine relationship was overblown by investigators. They said the fuel vendor made pizzas and sodas available during fueling. If the aircraft needed repair, he provided a hotel room. Marines, who pay for the gas with government credit cards, said the Fresno pump became popular with aviators, especially on the weekends, because military stations were often closed.
Nonetheless, the headquarters memo ordered squadron commanders to inform fliers that the practice should stop:
"Emphasis should be placed on ensuring air crew are familiar with use of flight package/aviation fuel card procedures prior to refueling away from parent air station and the DoD joint ethics regulation to preclude further occurrences."