Investigation Rules Airman Faked Racist Text Messages Claiming Denial of Special Duty Assignment

The U.S. Air Force has investigated an airman at Luke Air Force base in Arizona and found he faked text messages claiming he was denied special duty assignment due to his ethnicity. The alleged texts were shared in May…

Savannah Hulsey PointerOct 19, 20222 min read

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, showed the airman being told, “We personally do not feel as if you are a good choice for the squadron. You currently have a shaving waiver which isn’t a professional image, and I think the

Air Force

is looking for somebody of white complexion and with an image that the

Air Force

needs.”

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The reportedly false texts went viral and within days the Air Force began to investigate claims of discrimination made in the texts, per Military.com.

“The 56th Fighter Wing has concluded its investigation into reports that an airman was denied a special duty assignment by their supervisor based upon their demographic identity,” Luke Air Force Base spokesman Sean Clements told Military.com in an emailed statement on Tuesday.

The spokesperson sent on saying, “Following an exhaustive investigation, authorities determined that the statements published did not occur and the text messages were fake.”

Military.com offered context as to why the assignment could be considered important, saying that while “special duty assignments are grueling” they are also significant and assist the military member in obtaining promotions and can lead to bonus pay.

Per the outlet, Celents said the service member who faked the messages is facing Uniform Code of Military Justice punishment but “the airman can still appeal his punishment.”