Global InformationRandall Schmidt information
Randall Mark Schmidt | |
|---|---|
 Lieutenant General Randall Mark Schmidt | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1972–2006 |
| Rank | Lieutenant general |
| Commands held | 12th Air Force 24th Wing 1st Fighter Squadron |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal] (3) Air Medal (2) Aerial Achievement Medal (2) Air Force Commendation Medal (3) |
Randall Mark Schmidt was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force.[1]
Schmidt was appointed to conduct an inquiry into FBI reports that detainees at Guantanamo Bay were being subjected to inhumane interrogation.[2] The unclassified summary of Schmidt's report acknowledges that one high-value detainee was subjected to almost continuous interrogation, for 18 to 20 hours per day, for almost two months. It describes the long-term effect of this interrogation as "degrading and abusive", but that it did not rise to the level of "inhumane".
Featured in the 2008 Academy award-winning documentary Taxi to the Dark Side [3]
He was formerly the Commander, 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. Twelfth Air Force comprises seven active-duty wings and three direct reporting units in the western and midwestern United States. The fighter and bomber wings possess 400 aircraft and more than 33,000 active-duty military and civilian personnel. The three direct reporting units, the 3rd Combat Communications Group, 820th Red Horse Squadron and 1st Air Support Operations Group, comprise more than 1,200 personnel. He is also responsible for the operational readiness of 12th Air Force-gained wings of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, featuring an additional 18,800 personnel and more than 200 aircraft. As the Commander, Air Forces Southern, a component to the Combatant Commander, U.S. Southern Command, he oversees Air Force assets, five forward operating locations, and civil and military engagements in Central and South America as well as the Caribbean.
General Schmidt entered the Air Force through the United States Air Force Academy in 1972. He has commanded a fighter squadron, operations group, three wings and a combatant Joint Task Force. He also served in key positions during tours with the Air Staff, major commands and the Joint Staff.
General Schmidt is a command pilot with more than 4,600 hours, primarily in fighter aircraft. He flew the F-15C in combat operations during operations Provide Comfort and Southern Watch. He served as a mission commander against the hostile resurgent force of Iraqi Integrated Air Defense Systems while serving as the operations group commander at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, for the multi-national air component. General Schmidt also commanded the 5th and 7th Air Expeditionary Wings in Southwest Asia in response to hostile Iraqi maneuvers in the southern no-fly zone. As Commander, Joint Task Force – Southwest Asia, he led the effort to destroy more than 380 enemy targets. The general had a direct impact in supporting combat operations when he served as the Headquarters U.S. Air Force Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Schmidt retired September 1, 2006.
On June 8, 2008, the Washington Post reported that Schmidt was expected to testify at the military commission of Mohammed Jawad, about the use of the "frequent flyer" program.[4] The frequent flier program was the technique of repeatedly moving a captive from one cell to another, to keep them sleep deprived. During one fourteen-day period Jawad was reported to have been moved 112 times.
Schmidt wrote:
"Had I learned of the treatment of Mr. Jawad, it would have been included as a finding in my report. The fact that the frequent flyer program was apparently carried out after the point that we were told the practice had been discontinued is troubling."
- ^ "Lieutenant General Randall Mark Schmidt". United States Air Force. Archived from the original on 2004-02-12. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
- ^ "Alleged Guantanamo Abuse Did Not Rise to Level of 'Inhumane'". United States Department of Defense. July 13, 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
- ^ https://us.imdb.com/title/tt0854678/ [user-generated source]
- ^ Josh White (June 8, 2008). "Detainee's Attorney Seeks Dismissal Over Abuse: Man Accused of Trying to Kill Troops Was Moved Cell to Cell, 112 Times in 14 Days". Washington Post. p. A04. Retrieved 2008-06-07.