Flying Low: Airman Caught In Racist Hoax

Eric Scheiner | October 19, 2022
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A black airman at the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, is facing discipline after officials found that text messages appearing to show discrimination were fake.

The Air Force Times reports the airmen posted the fake texts to social media in May.

“We won’t be sending your name up for [redacted] at the squadron,” one airman appeared to tell another in the screenshot. “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 the image that the Air Force needs.”

“This is the third job that has been held over my head due to my looks, and something that’s based on personal preference,” the purported recipient answered.

Task & Purpose, which first reported on the investigation, had identified the sender as a white technical sergeant and the recipient as a Black senior airman.

An investigation was launched and it was determined the texts were a hoax.

“Following an exhaustive investigation, authorities determined that the statements published did not occur and the text messages were fake,” Luke Air Force base spokesman Sean Clements said Tuesday.

Related: Black Teen Arrested In Connection To ‘White Power’ Death Threats

These types of racist hoaxes are becoming more common. 

Military.com reports:

The investigation into the faked messages is reminiscent of a 2017 incident at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, where racial slurs were written on the dormitory whiteboards of five African American cadet candidates.

The school later revealed that, during its investigation, one of the cadet candidates allegedly targeted by the racist remarks was actually responsible for the act, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported at the time.

 

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