The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) issued a controversial complaint against an Air Force commander for endorsing an Evangelical charity and biased religious language in an email.

The email was forwarded by the secretary of the 436th Force Support Squadron Valencia Branch to all 436th personnel to encourage them to donate toys to Operation Christmas Child, a Christian gift-giving initiative.

“Our goal is to fill 5,000+ shoe boxes to be sent around the world as a way to show children in desperate situations that God loves and values them. Many of these children have never received a gift before. Many have never heard of God’s incredible free Gift of Salvation through His Son. But a simple gift, a shoebox packed and prayed for by you could give a child hope and eternal security. Come, partner with us and CCA, be a ‘missionary’ filling shoebox gifts and praying over them with us.”

Branch’s language caused 14 airmen to contact the MRFF, which subsequently took the issue to squadron commander Lt. Col. Donald C. Tasker. The group accused Tasker of endorsing Branch’s email and the Christian slant of the campaign.

MRFF President Mikey Weinstein called the email an “unconstitutional train wreck” and demanded that Tasker immediately rescind his public support for Operation Christmas Child. He argued that it was against Air Force policy for Branch to use her position to spread the word about the campaign, and as her commanding officer it was up to Tasker to set things right.

“You, sir, are her Squadron Commander and IMMEDIATE boss/supervisor and, thus, bear the ultimate responsibility for her illicit, unconstitutional actions,” Weinstein wrote. “There is a Constitutionally permissible time, place and manner for any military or civilian member of the United States military to effusively express and proudly and peacefully practice their religious faith (or no faith)….Thus, it is YOU, Lt. Col. Tasker, who must follow the solemn oath you (and Ms. Branch) swore to support and defend the United States Constitution and take swift remedial action to fix this unconstitutional train wreck which has just transpired on your watch, sir.”

A mere day after the MRFF complained, Tasker disavowed Operation Christmas Child, stating that the email as “not sent at my direction and is not endorsed in any way by me or any level of command.” Weinstein said he was satisfied with Tasker’s statement.

The MRFF previously complained about a sign saying “God Bless the Military” outside Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The base refused to remove the sign despite Weinstein’s strongly worded letter.

The MRFF also intervened in a recent case involving a Hindu Air Force dentist who was accused of witchcraft and fired from her job. This lawsuit is ongoing.