THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 22, 1997 TAG: 9702220324
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. LENGTH: 27 lines
The first female bomber pilot in the Air Force qualified to fly in combat faces court-martial on charges of adultery and other military infractions, her base said Thursday.
First Lt. Kelly J. Flinn, who has flown B-52 bombers for the 23rd Bomb Squadron at Minot since October 1995, remains on active duty.
Charges include adultery, conduct unbecoming an officer, failure to obey a lawful order, making a false official statement and failure to obey the Air Force regulation on fraternization, said Capt. Chet Curtis, a base spokesman.
Fraternization refers to an inappropriate relationship between an officer and someone of lower rank.
Capt. Mark Phillips, an Air Force spokesman in Louisiana, said a court-martial hearing will probably be held within two months. If found guilty, she could face sanctions ranging from a reprimand to a dishonorable discharge.
The Air Force would not release the age and hometown of Flinn, who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1993.
KEYWORDS: COURT-MARTIAL ADULTERY FRATERNIZATION