STRATCOM NO. 2 OFFICIAL SUSPENDED OVER GAMBLING INVESTIGATION

The deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command has been suspended while he is investigated for issues related to gambling, Navy Capt. Pamela Kunze, a spokeswoman for Strategic Command, confirmed this weekend. Navy Vice Adm. Kunze said Vice Adm. Tim Giardina is being investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Details about Giardina’s gambling issues have not been released, but Kunze said Air Force Gen. Robert Kehler, the outgoing chief of U.S. Strategic Command, learned of an investigation into Giardina July 16, a month after an unnamed law enforcement agency began looking into the Navy veteran. Kehler quietly suspended Giardina Sept. 3, a punishment that did not become public until it was reported Saturday by the Omaha World-Herald. Kunze said Kehler has recommended to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel that Giardina be reassigned, but he still remains at Strategic Command, though he has been stripped from work involving nuclear weapons and other duties linked to his security clearance. Giardina was expected to be replaced at Strategic Command as part of the normal rotation of officers, and President Obama earlier this summer nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. James Kowalski, the current commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, to take over as StratCom’s No. 2 official. “The recommendation that he be reassigned is not typical,” Kunze told NW&M Monitor. “The recommendation that he be reassigned at this time is due to the ongoing investigation and him being suspended as the deputy commander.” The Omaha World-Herald reported that the investigation into Giardina involved counterfeit casino chips. Giardina arrived at StratCom in December of 2011 after serving as U.S. Pacific Command’s deputy commander and chief of staff.