Col. Danzel Albertsen, commander of the 49th Maintenance Group, was relieved of duty March 25, 2024, at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., due to a “loss of confidence in his ability to lead,” the service said. (U.S. Air Force)
WASHINGTON — An Air Force commander in charge of the maintenance group at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., has been fired, the service said.
Col. Danzel Albertsen, commander of the 49th Maintenance Group, was relieved of duty Monday due to “loss of confidence in his ability to lead,” a statement from the service reads.
“This was a difficult decision to make, but one that is ultimately in the best interests of the unit,” said Col. Justin Spears, the 49th Wing commander.
Lt. Col. Kristen Torma, the deputy commander of the 49th Maintenance Group, will assume command of the unit effective immediately.
No other information regarding why Albertsen was relieved of duty was provided.
Under federal privacy law, military officials are not required to disclose the reasons for removing or reassigning personnel. Military officials often cite “a loss of confidence” when commanders are removed from their posts without providing any specifics that led to the decision.
Albertsen, a native of Saint Joseph, Mo., had been commander of the 49th Maintenance Group since June 2022. He oversaw the 49th Maintenance Group’s four squadrons and 2,100 maintenance personnel, according to his Air Force biography. The group was responsible for 82 F-16 fighter jets, 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones and 12 Ground Control Stations, totaling $2.5 billion in assets.
Albertsen enlisted in the Air Force in 1991 and spent 10 years as a maintenance crew chief. He was commissioned in 2001 through the service’s Officer Training School and has commanded squadrons. His awards and decorations include a Bronze Star and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
