Security Squadron Leader Removed After Airmen Deaths

The commander of the 87th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, has been relieved of duty following a series of incidents that culminated in the deaths of two airmen, according to a report published by Military Times titled “Security squadron commander relieved of duty after airmen fatalities.”

Lt. Col. Dustin Raught was removed from his post on December 11 by Col. Anthony L. Smith, commander of the 87th Mission Support Group. The Air Force cited “a loss of trust and confidence in Raught’s ability to lead” as the reason for the decision. While no criminal charges have been announced against Raught, his dismissal comes amid heightened scrutiny over leadership standards and safety protocols within security forces units.

The two airmen, both members of the 87th Security Forces Squadron, died in separate incidents earlier in the year. The details surrounding these fatalities have not been publicly disclosed, and Air Force officials have not responded to questions regarding whether their deaths were related to misconduct, negligence, or lapses in duty of care. Investigations into both incidents remain ongoing.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst houses numerous active-duty units from the Air Force, Army, and Navy, and plays a critical role in rapid global mobility operations. The 87th Security Forces Squadron is tasked with ensuring the protection and law enforcement across the installation, which underscores the serious nature of any loss of life under its purview.

Raught, who has previously held high-level assignments within the Air Force’s security operations domain, had led the squadron for less than a year before his removal. His ouster marks a rare but consequential administrative action in the tight-knit security forces community, where command continuity is considered essential for maintaining morale, discipline, and operational readiness.

This development is part of a broader pattern in which senior military leaders are being held increasingly accountable for unit climate and the welfare of their personnel. In recent years, the Air Force, like other service branches, has reinforced its emphasis on leadership responsibility, particularly after incidents involving preventable harm or systemic failures.

Military Times noted that Air Mobility Command, which oversees Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, has not made further details public, citing the continuing nature of internal reviews. Meanwhile, an interim commander has been appointed to lead the 87th Security Forces Squadron as investigations continue and the base seeks to reassure airmen and their families about the command’s commitment to safety and accountability.

The deaths of the two airmen weigh heavily on the base community and raise questions about oversight within units tasked with operational security. The Air Force’s handling of the situation is likely to be closely monitored by both military leaders and Congress as part of ongoing efforts to improve service member well-being across the force.