Colonel supported by GOP

ALBUQUERQUE — A group of Republican senators, including Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas, sent a letter last week to Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson in support of embattled Col. Leland Bohannon, a former Kirtland officer who was disciplined after refusing to sign a certificate of appreciation for a retiring master sergeant’s same-sex spouse.

“During your own confirmation process, you made it a point to acknowledge that, ’Air Force commanders have a responsibility to ensure that the spiritual needs of all Airmen are met,’” the Nov. 13 letter states. “We were highly encouraged by your answers and trusted that, when the time came, you would follow through. That time is now.”

In May, Bohannon had been asked to sign a series of documents for the retiring officer, including the customary - and optional - certificate of appreciation.

Bohannon said signing the certificate would be affirming the same-sex marriage contrary to his religious beliefs.

He then requested a religious exemption, which went unanswered.

Instead, he arranged for another officer to sign the certificate.

The retiring officer then filed an Equal Opportunity complaint, alleging Bohannon had discriminated against him due to his sexual orientation.

As a result, Bohannon was stripped of command of the Air Force Inspection Agency at Kirtland and removed from consideration for a promotion to brigadier general.

The letter seeks the reversal of Bohannon’s discipline and that the Air Force put in place formal guidance and adequate training to leadership on religious rights.

The firm representing Bohannon, First Liberty Institute, is requesting similar action be taken.

Sens. Roy Blunt of Missouri, James Inhofe of Oklahoma, John Kennedy of Louisiana, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Mike Lee of Utah and Roger Wicker of Mississippi also signed the letter.

Bohannon also has found support in the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian nonprofit, which is circulating a petition calling for the same actions.

More than 24,000 people had signed the online petition, around two weeks after its creation.