Relieved Of Duty

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Air Force announced Thursday it has relieved three commanders in Europe following an investigation into the disastrous crash of the military aircraft carrying Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown and 34 others. The three commanders are the top officers of the Air Force 86th Airlift Wing, based at Rumstein Air Base in Germany. Brigadier General William Stevens, commander of the 86th, Colonel Roger W. Hansen, vice-commander, and Colonel John E. Mazurowski, operations group commander, were relieved of their duties on Wednesday. Following the investigation of the CT-43 crash, Major General Charles Heflebower, commander of the 17th Air Force of which the 86th is a part, said he had "lost his confidence in the ability" of the men "to effectively discharge their responsibilities." General Michael E. Ryan, commander of all U.S. Air Force units in Europe, concurred with Heflebower's decision to relieve the commanders. Lt. Colonel Virginia Pribyla, an Air Force spokeswoman, said that relieving the commanders of duty does not mean they were directly responsible for the crash, but added that the investigation pointed out problems of leadership. A full report is not expected for a week. -->