Guard brigade commander in Iraq relieved of duties
The commander of the 67th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Col. Philip Stemple, was relieved of duties on Saturday after U.S. Forces-Iraq leaders lost confidence in his ability to command, according to a U.S. Forces-Iraq spokesman.
“USF-I took this action following the completion of an administrative investigation which documented a negative command climate within the 67th BfSB,” Army Col. Barry Johnson wrote late Wednesday in an email to Stars and Stripes.
Lt. Col. Brett Andersen, executive officer of the 67th BfSB, has assumed command of the brigade, Johnson wrote.
The brigade is part of the Nebraska Army National Guard, and has been in Iraq since September and is due to rotate out in June, according to a report in the Omaha World Herald.
Stemple remains assigned to USF-I, but is expected to be sent to the U.S. within the next week, Johnson wrote.
