Guardsman Quits After Nude Flights

Thu., Aug. 27, 1998

From Staff

One of the seven Spokane-based Washington Air National Guard members who flew nude in recent months has voluntarily resigned, the Guard announced Wednesday.

Last week, the Guard revealed it was investigating six officers and one enlisted man for flying a KC-135E tanker in the nude during four training flights. The flights took place from June 1997 to July 1998 and originated from Fairchild Air Force Base.

The seven guardsmen are with the 141st Air Refueling Wing. The wing operates 10 KC-135Es, which are used to refuel other jets in midair.

“No nudity took place during aerial refueling, nor were any passengers aboard the flights when the nudity occurred,” the Guard said Wednesday in a statement.

The Guard is not releasing the names of those involved in what was called “an aircrew camaraderie of sorts.”

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.