Air Force Colonel Relieved of Command After Failing Fitness Test

An Air Force base commander was removed from his position last month because he failed his physical fitness test.

Air Mobility Command Public Affairs released a statement on March 20 announcing Col. Tim Bush had been relieved of his position as wing commander of Grand Forks Air Base (ND) after failing the fitness test. He assumed command of the base in July 2011. 

Bush failed the test because his waistline was 41 inches, 2 inches over the Air Force's limit for men. Bush was a member of the Air Force for 25 years, according to the Grand Forks Herald.

Bush, who has requested to retire, did not criticize the Air Force's decision and said it was important for commanders to be held to the same standards as other airmen.

“If you can’t meet the standard, how do you hold them to the standard?” he told the newspaper.

The Air Force physical fitness test includes push-up, sit-up, run time and waistline requirements. The requirements were insituted in 2010 and revised in 2011.

The number of airmen discharged or demoted because of poor fitness test performance has increased dramatically in the Air Force since 2007. The number of soldiers in the U.S. Army who have been dismissed for failing to meet Army fitness standards also has increased.