Navy Probes New Tailhook Allegations
Aug. 25 -- As the Navy today began investigating charges that service members attending the naval aviators Tailhook convention last week made “inappropriate physical contact” with a civilian woman, members of the association expressed concern about its future.
A civilian husband and wife staying at the same hotel where the convention was held allege they were harassed. In a brief written statement, the Navy said the Inspector General’s office is looking into allegations the woman was inappropriately touched by naval officers in a crowded hallway.
The case recalls the infamous Tailhook Association 1991 convention, which created a sexual assault scandal that forced the resignation of the Navy’s civilian chief and focusedattention on sexual harassment throughout the military. The Navycut its ties to the group after that incident, which involved at least 90 indecent assaults.
But in January, the Navy restored full ties to the association,and the Aug. 17-20 convention at the Nugget Hotel in Sparks, Nev., was thefirst time attendance by Navy and Marine Corps aviators at the convention was officially sanctioned since 1991.
Is Tailhook in Jeopardy Again?
After news of the current scandal broke today, at least one lawmaker, Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, has called for the the Navy to withdraw support if the allegations are found to be true because she says the Tailhook Association would have been shown to exhibit a “chronic disregard for human dignity.”
Some in the association now say they worry that the latest allegation will further tarnish the reputation of the annual reunion of pilots and prompt the Navy to again end its official support of the event.
“Here we go again,” said Cathie Tierney, 64, the wife of retired Cmdr. Glenn Tierney, who added that it would be a “crying shame” if the Navy dropped its support.
“I think it would be sad,” Tierney said. “Where would my husband have gone to be together with all of his friends?”
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