Major General Phillip Stewart, Commander of the 19th Air Force, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, was removed from his post while under investigation following allegations of misconduct.
According to Stars and Stripes, Lieutenant General Brian Robinson, Commander of the Air Education and Training Command, relieved Stewart of his command “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead, related to alleged misconduct which is currently under investigation,” training command spokeswoman Captain Lauren Woods said.
Details regarding the nature of the alleged misconduct were not provided. Stewart was appointed to his post in August 2022. While Commander, Stewart was responsible for 45 percent of the U.S. Air Force’s annual flying hour program, which provides training to 27,000 U.S. and allied aircrew annually, according to the Air Force.
Stewart was commissioned into the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1992 following his graduation from The Georgia Institute of Technology. He holds a master’s degree in Military Studies and a master’s degree in Occupational Planning from the Marine Corps University, as well as a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Previously, he was Commander of the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, Balad Air Base, Iraq, Commanding General of NATO Train Advise Assist Command-Air in Kabul, Afghanistan and Commander of the 9TH Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California.
Serving as interim Commander in his place is Brigadier General Christopher R. Amrhein, Vice Commander of the 19TH Air Force, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.
Earlier this week, reports revealed President Joe Biden is expected to nominate Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr. as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brown, a seasoned officer and fighter pilot, currently serves as chief of staff of the Air Force.
If confirmed, Brown would succeed Gen. Mark Milley, whose chairmanship expires at the end of September. Brown’s nomination is widely considered historic as it would mark the first time that the top two leadership positions at the Pentagon would be held by black men.
