Utah National Guard Up In Arms: Bikini Models Allowed Into Base Without Authorization [Video]


Warning NSFW: The video contains images of a sexual nature and may not be suitable for work.

A video uploaded to YouTube yesterday sparked an internal investigation into why Utah National Guard and Utah Department of Public Safety employees can be seen in a risqué video involving British bikini models.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the video and photographs were taken in June, and show the barely-clothed models for the 2015 Hot Shots Calendar driving with soldiers in an all-terrain vehicle and a tank and firing guns. Utah National Guard Lt. Col. Steven Fairbourn said an investigation has thus far revealed a non-commissioned officer with Headquarters Company of the 19th Special Forces Group gave the models and their crew access to Camp Williams. However, this officer did not have authority or authorization to allow the models onto Camp Williams.

Fairbourn said, “he should have moved it up the chain of command” before allowing the models into the camp.

Though the models can be seen shooting weaponry in the video, the investigation concluded that no National Guard ammunition or weapons were fired. Instead, it appears that the weapons fired came from The Big Shot Ranch, a private shooting range in Grantsville. However, the Department of Public Safety is now investigating why two members of their SWAT team can be seen in the video giving the women shooting lessons.

Capt. Doug McCleve, a spokesman for the Department of Public Safety, said ultimately the men’s actions reflect the department because they were in uniform, so an investigation must be complete.

“The bottom line is if you’re wearing the uniform, you’re representing the department.”

The Big Shot Ranch issued a statement Friday saying it cooperated with the models, in part, because the production company said a portion of the proceeds from the calendar would benefit wounded veterans. They also noted that they were not aware of any use of equipment other than that owned by Big Shot Ranch.

Fairbourn said the National Guard is determining how many other soldiers participated in the video and photo shoot, and noted that any soldiers found to have broken policy or protocol could be subject to discipline. The Utah National Guard issued a public statement Friday apologizing for its part in the video and photo shoot.

“The Utah National Guard apologizes for any embarrassment that this incident may have caused for its members, their families, and the community and is continuing its ongoing investigation of this matter.”

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