| Craig A. Franklin | |
|---|---|
 Then-Lieutenant General Craig A. Franklin | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1981–2014 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General (Retired as Major General) |
| Commands | Third Air Force 53rd Wing 31st Fighter Wing 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing |
| Battles / wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (2) |
Craig A. Franklin is a former United States Air Force lieutenant general who last served as the commander of Third Air Force, based at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. A 1981 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Franklin served in flying assignments, instructor pilot assignments, as well as multiple staff assignments. Franklin commanded a test and evaluation group and three wings, including the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing based at Balad Air Base, Iraq.
Franklin submitted his retirement to be effective 31 January 2014. His early retirement resulted in a reduction in retirement rank to the two-star rank of major general. This is as a direct result of Franklin's dismissal of a sexual assault case in February 2013 after the officer in question, a lieutenant colonel, had been found guilty at a court martial in November 2012. The officer was subsequently released from prison and restored to his rank, only to be forced into retirement at a lower rank after the discovery of further sexual misconduct. In a statement Franklin said, "he was retiring 'for the good of this command and the Air Force' because of persistent doubts about his impartiality in overseeing sex-abuse investigations." He officially retired on April 1, 2014.
References
- ^ "Lieutenant General Craig A. Franklin". United States Air Force. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- Robert Draper (November 30, 2014). "The Military's Rough Justice on Sexual Assault". New York Times.
- Whitlock, Craig (8 January 2014). "Air Force general to retire after criticism for handling of sexual-assault case". Washington Post. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
External links
- Baldor, Lolita C. (10 April 2013). "Air Force general defends overturning sex assault verdict". Air Force Times. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- Davis, Kristin (30 August 2013). "3rd AF commander warned about overturning sex assault verdict". Air Force Times. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- Montgomery, Nancy (18 December 2013). "Air Force removes Lt. Gen. Franklin from sexual assault case". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
- Airman 1st Class Trevor Rhynes (5 April 2012). "3rd Air Force welcomes new commander". Lakenheath.af.mil. Archived from the original on 3 March 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
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| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byBruce A. Grooms | Vice Director of the Joint Staff 2010–2012 |
Succeeded byNora W. Tyson |
| Preceded byFrank Gorenc | Commander of the Third Air Force 2012–2014 |
Succeeded byTimothy Ray |