Air Force reinstates colonel suspended for not thanking homosexual serviceman’s ‘spouse’
The U.S. Air Force has reversed course after initially suspending and denying a promotion for a colonel who refused to sign a “certificate of appreciation” for one of his airmen’s same-sex “marriage.” In a letter sent to members of Congress on Monday, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson confirmed the Air Force is restoring the command of Colonel Leland B.H. Bohannon, the Military Times reported . Bohannon is commander of the Air Force Inspection Agency at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, and a distinguished serviceman of more than 20 years. He flew combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, and has received numerous commendations such as the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal , and the Air Medal. Wilson also affirmed that Bohannon “had the right to exercise his sincerely held religious beliefs and did not unlawfully discriminate when he declined to sign the certificate.” Last fall, Bohannon’s command was revoked and his promotion to Brigadier Gene