Top West Point Commander Suspended Amid Investigation Into ‘Alleged Conduct’
Micaela Burrow on July 27, 2023
The Army has suspended the commander at West Point, home to the Army’s military academy, pending an ongoing investigation, The Messenger reported.
West Point did not provide additional details on the reason for Col. Anthony Bianchi‘s suspension or whether an interim commander has taken his place, according to The Messenger. The suspension comes as the West Point community is reeling after bearing the brunt of a storm that pummeled much of New York on July 9, The New York Times reported.
“U.S. Army Garrison West Point commander has been suspended of his duties for alleged conduct pending the outcome of an investigation,” an academy spokesperson told The Daily Caller News Foundation in a statement.
Suspensions can occur for a variety of reasons that do not always include criminal conduct, according to Military.com.
The highly decorated commander was scheduled to give an address at the West Point Community Fair on Wednesday, The Messenger reported.
Bianchi commissioned out of West Point in 1997 and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, his biography shows. He served as the school’s athletic director before taking on the role of garrison commander in 2022, according to Military.com.
As garrison leader, Bianchi was responsible for managing the entire West Point installation, providing community services for troops and officers, their families and civilian employees.
West Point suffered from storms that swept across New York’s Hudson River Valley earlier in July, causing significant flooding and damaging at least 20 on-base housing units, Stars and Stripes reported. Bianchi said on July 12 he had fielded at least 130 calls from on-base residents to address water damage.
“Our U.S. Army Garrison West Point team is working around the clock to restore capabilities that have been lost or reduced. They will be determining the scope of damage over the next few days,” Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven W. Gilland said in the wake of the storms, according to ABC 7 New York.
“Our Army senior leaders are fully aware of our situation, as are the leaders of U.S. Army Installation Management Command and the Corps of Engineers. Balfour Beatty is steadfastly supporting as they respond to numerous requests for assistance and prioritize their efforts,” Gilland said, referring to the infrastructure company working on the buildings.
The Army has suspended or relieved the command of several top officers in previous months.
Col. Jonathan Chung, the commander of the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade, was booted in April after an investigation into the harsh and unprofessional treatment of his units, Military.com reported. Col. Meghann Sullivan, who commanded the same brigade’s 5th Brigade Engineer Battalion, also faced suspension after allegations she sexually assaulted two male subordinates.
Col. Ann Meredith lost command of the 89th Military Police Brigade at Fort Cavazos, Texas, in February for reasons she claimed related to interference with an investigation into her husband, Col. Jon Meredith, who was charged in May for charged with sexually assaulting another officer’s wife.
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