US air force trio sacked over hand-puppet oath
THREE US air force members who conducted a military ceremony using a dinosaur puppet have been removed from their positions after a video of the event went viral.
Master Sergeant Robin Brown, from the Tennessee Air National Guard, was filmed reciting an oath in a re-enlistment ceremony with the toy.
In the video posted on an unofficial air force Facebook page, Sgt Brown wears the dinosaur puppet on her right hand and has the puppet mouth the words.
Sgt Brown was removed from her post with the Tennessee Joint Public Affairs Office and is facing further action. The ceremony was conducted by a colonel and filmed by another national guardsman, who have also been removed from their posts.
Army Maj Gen Terry Haston said he was “embarrassed” the three had taken “such liberties with a timehonoured military tradition”.