Marines Probe General’s Use of Military Planes

EL TORO —  The Marine Corps inspector general Monday launched a formal investigation into whether the commander of the Corps’ Western air bases misused military aircraft for personal trips to Big Bear, Florida and elsewhere around the country.

Col. Jim Williams, the Corps’ deputy inspector general in Washington, said that after reviewing a report in the Los Angeles Times on Friday, his office decided to open a full investigation of Brig. Gen. Wayne T. Adams, who oversees air bases at El Toro, Tustin, Camp Pendleton and Yuma, Ariz.

The Times article detailed five flights either flown or ordered by Adams that raised questions about the general’s use of a C-12 twin-engine aircraft for trips that might have involved personal business.

The investigation of Adams will be the second time this year that the inspector general has looked into possible wrongdoing by senior officers at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

In January, an inquiry headed by Maj. Gen. Hollis Davison, the inspector general, led to the suspension of Cols. Joseph Underwood and James Sabow amid allegations that they used C-12 aircraft for golf jaunts and other personal trips.

Sabow, an assistant chief of staff, killed himself with a shotgun Jan. 22, five days after Adams suspended him. Underwood, chief of staff at El Toro, was allowed to retire earlier this month with his pension after pleading guilty to misusing aircraft and to unrelated charges at a closed hearing before Adams. Underwood also agreed to pay a fine and make restitution to the Marine Corps.

Adams was never interviewed as part of the January investigation.

Military regulations ban the use of aircraft for personal reasons and warn against trips that could give the appearance of impropriety.

Lt. Col. Ron Stokes, a Marine Corps spokesman, said the inspector general “looked at the allegations . . . and this (investigation) is the outcome of the article. All the allegations will be investigated.”

Adams could not be reached for comment Monday. In past interviews, he has defended his use of base planes as proper and lawful. Capt. Betsy Sweatt, a spokeswoman at El Toro, said that she was unaware of the opening of the investigation.

Stokes and Williams declined to provide details of the inquiry. A source at El Toro familiar with the case said he expected the investigation to be handled by the inspector general. The source said the investigation will include a review of flight logs as well as interviews with military personnel who took part in the flights in question.