XO of destroyer Chafee sacked

[unhappycamper]

Prospective skipper fired
Gonzales was to take command last Friday.


XO of destroyer Chafee sacked
By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Nov 25, 2009 20:23:14 EST

SAN DIEGO — The executive officer of the destroyer Chafee was fired Friday, the same day he was supposed to move up and become that ship’s skipper, Navy officials said today.

Cmdr. Larry Gonzales was detached “for cause” after Capt. Richard Clemmons, who commands Hawaii-based Destroyer Squadron 31, “lost confidence in Commander Gonzales’ ability to lead the command,” said Agnes Tauyan, a spokeswoman for Navy Region Hawaii.

The decision “was based on findings from a DesRon 31 investigation,” Tauyan said, declining to specify what findings or events led to his firing. She said the commodore’s decision was not based on any operational, safety or security issues involving Gonzales or the ship.

Gonzales, who has served as Chafee’s second-in-command since January, had been selected to command the same ship through the Navy’s “fleet up” program. On Nov. 5, he was relieved as the ship’s XO on a normal rotation ahead of the change-of-command ceremony, scheduled for Nov. 20.

The ship’s incumbent commanding officer, Cmdr. Heedong Choi, will remain in command until early spring, when his replacement is expected to arrive, Tauyan said.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/11/navy_chafee_xo_fired_112509w/

[Captain Hilts]

1. He must have seriously screwed up off ship. And, note the skipper's name: Cmdr. Heedong Choi

Captain Choi! Cool!