Posted on 10/27/2012 12:45:13 PM PDT by ironman
WASHINGTON -- The Navy said Saturday it is replacing the admiral in command of an aircraft carrier strike group in the Middle East, pending the outcome of an internal investigation into undisclosed allegations of inappropriate judgment.
Rear Adm. Charles M. Gaouette is being sent back to the USS John C. Stennis' home port at Bremerton, Wash., in what the Navy called a temporary reassignment. The Navy said he is not formally relieved of his command of the Stennis strike group but will be replaced by Rear Adm. Troy M. Shoemaker, who will assume command until the investigation is completed.
It is highly unusual for the Navy to replace a carrier strike group commander during its deployment.
(Excerpt) Read more at stripes.com ...
There were probably flyover considerations which precluded a direct flight. Two plus hrs is about the minimum time to reach Libya.
Was he in on the Preakness pool?
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However, the live video of the battle was being blasted to every major command in that hemisphere, and all the materials pertaining to the battle and investigation have now been classified Top Secret (according to John McCain).
Are there no F-18s based at Sigonella NAS (Sicily)? Or at Rota?
This is taking the same ‘route’ as USS LIBERTY (AGTR-5) when aircraft from the USS AMERICA (CV-66) were dispatched to aid the LIBERTY and LBJ/MacNamara PERSONALLY called the strike off with LBJ telling either USS AMERICA or COM6THFLT “get those m’fn aircraft back aboard”..
I don’t recall whether anyone was canned for that (so called) insubordination. BUT many Senior Officers SHOULD HAVE resigned their commissions over it (the whole LIBERTY incident).
F18s from Sigonella were a half hour away. AC130s from there probably would take an hour.
Not sure why so many FReepers think the Persian Gulf is so close; it’s two thousand miles away from Libya.
Publisher: Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr.
Executive Editor: Jill Abramson
Doing this make help get their attention.
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