Two Wyoming Air National Guard Commanders Relieved for Loss of Confidence
On July 17, 2026, the Wyoming Air National Guard relieved Col. Brian Diehl, commander of the 153rd Airlift Wing, and Col. Lawrence Sullivan, commander of the 153rd Operations Group, citing a "loss of confidence and trust" in their leadership. Brig. Gen. Barry Deibert made the decision, emphasizing high standards of conduct. No specific reasons were disclosed. Interim commanders were appointed, and officials stated the change does not affect mission readiness. The 153rd Wing operates C-130H aircraft for airlift, firefighting, and Antarctic resupply.
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Two Wyoming Air National Guard Commanders Relieved of Duty Due to Loss of Confidence
On July 17, 2026, the Wyoming Air National Guard relieved two senior commanders of their duties due to a loss of confidence and trust in their ability to lead. 153rd Airlift Wing Commander Col. Brian Diehl and 153rd Operations Group Commander Col. Lawrence Sullivan were removed from their posts by Brig. Gen. Barry Deibert, commander of the Air Component at Joint Force Headquarters. Officials did not provide specific reasons for the loss of confidence, but emphasized that leaders are held to high standards of professional conduct and accountability. Col. Bret Trippel assumed interim command of the 153rd Airlift Wing, and Lt. Col. Tony Silva took interim command of the 153rd Operations Group. The Wyoming Military Department stated that the leadership transition does not affect the wing's mission readiness or ongoing deployment preparations. The 153rd Airlift Wing, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, operates C-130 Hercules aircraft and provides tactical airlift and aerial support.
Two Wyoming Air National Guard Commanders Relieved of Duty
On July 17, 2026, Col. Brian Diehl, commander of the 153rd Airlift Wing, and Col. Lawrence Sullivan, commander of the 153rd Operations Group, were relieved of their posts by Brig. Gen. Barry Deibert due to a loss of confidence and trust in their ability to lead effectively. The Wyoming Military Department did not provide specific reasons for the decision, but Deibert emphasized that Air National Guard leaders are held to high standards of professional conduct and accountability. Col. Bret Trippel assumed interim command of the wing, and Lt. Col. Tony Silva took over the operations group. The 153rd Airlift Wing, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, operates C-130 Hercules aircraft, and officials stated the leadership change does not affect mission readiness or deployment preparations.
Two Wyoming Air National Guard Commanders Relieved of Duty
On July 17, 2026, two senior commanders of the Wyoming Air National Guard were relieved of their posts due to a loss of confidence and trust in their ability to lead. 153rd Airlift Wing Commander Col. Brian Diehl and 153rd Operations Group Commander Col. Lawrence Sullivan were removed by Brig. Gen. Barry Deibert. Officials did not elaborate on the specific reasons, but Deibert stated that leaders are held to high standards and that action was necessary to uphold core values and command integrity. Col. Bret Trippel assumed interim command of the wing, and Lt. Col. Tony Silva took interim command of the operations group. The release emphasized that the leadership change does not affect the wing's mission readiness or deployment preparations. The 153rd Airlift Wing, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, operates C-130 Hercules aircraft.
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Two Wyoming Air National Guard Commanders Relieved of Duty
On July 17, 2026, Col. Brian Diehl, commander of the 153rd Airlift Wing, and Col. Lawrence Sullivan, commander of the 153rd Operations Group, were relieved of their posts by Brig. Gen. Barry Deibert due to a loss of confidence and trust in their ability to lead effectively. The Wyoming Military Department did not provide specific reasons for the loss of confidence, but Deibert stated that Air National Guard leaders are held to the highest standards of professional conduct and accountability. Col. Bret Trippel assumed interim command of the wing, and Lt. Col. Tony Silva took over the operations group. Officials emphasized that the leadership change does not affect the wing's mission readiness or deployment preparations. The 153rd Airlift Wing, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, operates C-130 Hercules aircraft and provides tactical airlift and aerial support.
Two Wyoming Air National Guard commanders relieved of duty
On July 17, 2026, two senior Wyoming Air National Guard commanders—153rd Airlift Wing Commander Col. Brian Diehl and 153rd Operations Group Commander Col. Lawrence Sullivan—were relieved of their posts due to a loss of confidence and trust in their ability to lead. Brig. Gen. Barry Deibert, commander of the Air Component at Joint Force Headquarters, made the decision, citing that leaders are held to the highest standards of professional conduct. Officials did not elaborate on the specific reasons for the loss of confidence. Col. Bret Trippel assumed interim command of the 153rd Airlift Wing, and Lt. Col. Tony Silva took interim command of the 153rd Operations Group. The Wyoming Military Department stated the leadership transition does not affect the wing's mission readiness or deployment preparations. The 153rd Airlift Wing, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, operates C-130 Hercules aircraft and provides tactical airlift and aerial support.
Two Wyoming Air National Guard commanders relieved of duty
On July 17, 2026, two senior Wyoming Air National Guard commanders—153rd Airlift Wing Commander Col. Brian Diehl and 153rd Operations Group Commander Col. Lawrence Sullivan—were relieved of their posts due to a loss of confidence and trust in their ability to lead. Brig. Gen. Barry Deibert, commander of the Air Component at Joint Force Headquarters, made the decision, citing that leaders are held to the highest standards of professional conduct and accountability. Officials did not elaborate on the specific reasons for the loss of confidence. Col. Bret Trippel assumed interim command of the 153rd Airlift Wing, and Lt. Col. Tony Silva took interim command of the 153rd Operations Group. The Wyoming Military Department stated the leadership transition does not affect the wing's mission readiness or deployment preparations. The 153rd Airlift Wing, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, operates C-130 Hercules aircraft for tactical airlift and aerial support.
Two Wyoming Air National Guard commanders fired for 'loss of confidence'
Col. Brian Diehl, commander of the 153rd Airlift Wing, and Col. Lawrence Sullivan, commander of the 153rd Operations Group, were relieved of their duties on July 17 by the Wyoming Air National Guard's commanding general. The official statement cited a 'loss of confidence and trust in their ability to effectively lead and command,' without providing specific reasons. Brig. Gen. Barry Deibert emphasized that leaders are held to the highest standards and that appropriate action must be taken when trust is broken. Diehl, a career airlift pilot, had returned to Wyoming after assignments with Air Force special operations. Sullivan joined the wing in 2024 after a career flying search and rescue helicopters in the New York National Guard. The reliefs, first reported by the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, are not unusual in military service and can stem from performance issues, misconduct, or subordinate failures.
Two Air National Guard commanders fired for 'loss of confidence'
The Wyoming Air National Guard relieved two senior commanders on July 17, citing a 'loss of confidence and trust in their ability to effectively lead and command.' Col. Brian Diehl was removed as commander of the 153rd Airlift Wing, and Col. Lawrence Sullivan was fired from command of the 153rd Operations Group. Brig. Gen. Barry Deibert, the state's top Air Guard officer, stated that leaders are held to the highest standards and that appropriate action must be taken when trust is broken. No specific reasons for the firings were disclosed, which is typical in military relief announcements. Diehl had a background as an airlift pilot and special operations assignments, while Sullivan had prior Army and Air Force helicopter experience. The 153rd Wing operates C-130H aircraft for missions including strategic airlift, firefighting, and Antarctic resupply.
Two Air National Guard commanders fired for 'loss of confidence'
On July 17, the Wyoming Air National Guard relieved two senior commanders: Col. Brian Diehl, commander of the 153rd Airlift Wing, and Col. Lawrence Sullivan, commander of the 153rd Operations Group. The firings were attributed to a 'loss of confidence and trust in their ability to effectively lead and command,' a standard military phrasing that typically accompanies reliefs for performance, misconduct, or subordinate failures. Brig. Gen. Barry Deibert, the state's top Air Guard officer, stated that leaders must meet high standards of conduct and accountability. Diehl, an airlift pilot with special operations experience, had returned to the wing in 2023. Sullivan, a former Army helicopter pilot who transferred to the Air Force in 1998, joined the 153rd in 2024. The 153rd Wing operates C-130H aircraft for missions including strategic airlift, firefighting, and Antarctic resupply. The reliefs were first reported by the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.