8chan/8kun QResearch Posts (52)
#13597241 at 2021-05-06 15:33:42 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #17219: Promises Made, Promises Kept Edition
Comms? 23 PAIN. Time to WAKE UP?
$2.3 million on travel in 8 months: Trump Navy secretary flew around the world, despite COVID-19
WASHINGTON - Former Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite traversed the globe in his brief tenure under the Trump administration, spending about $2.4 million in air travel, according to figures and documents obtained by USA TODAY.
Braithwaite spent $232,000 the week before President Joe Biden's inauguration to fly to Wake Island, a tiny Pacific atoll, where, according to Navy spokesman Capt. Jereal Dorsey, no sailors or Marines are stationed. The executive director of the government watchdog Project On Government Oversight called the trip "an expensive abuse of power."
Braithwaite was Navy secretary, the service's most senior civilian, from May 29 until Biden took office on Jan. 21. During that time, Braithwaite embarked on 22 trips to foreign and domestic destinations - more than any other senior Pentagon civilian - even as the COVID-19 pandemic trimmed the wings of other senior officials, according to two Defense Department officials.
The COVID-19 pandemic, according to the two Defense officials who were not authorized to comment publicly, cut back foreign travel for most senior officials. Some countries limited travel for visiting delegations, making trips less useful, one official said. Domestic travel was also limited, the other official said, to prevent exposure and spread of the virus among troops and officials.
Braithwaite's international travels included Norway, Italy, Greece, Japan and India. His domestic trips included more than $24,000 to attend the Army-Navy football game with his family and more than one visit to Hawaii.
Braithwaite trips from June 2020 to January 2121
Over the same period, then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper and his successor, acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, took 15 trips. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy took 17 trips, and Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett recorded 19 trips. McCarthy and Barrett had led their services since 2019. McCarthy's trips cost roughly $900,000 and his family did not accompany him on any trips, said spokeswoman Army Lt. Col. Audricia Harris. Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, took four trips during Braithwaite's tenure.
Former President Donald Trump nominated Braithwaite for Navy secretary after acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly was forced to resign for his handling of the outbreak of COVID-19 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. Modly came under criticism from Congress for his $243,000 flight to Guam where he stayed briefly to blast the captain of the stricken ship in an address to the crew.
In a statement, Braithwaite said his trips were necessary to bolster the Navy, citing recent crises it had endured, including, presumably the troubles surrounding the Roosevelt.
"I am extremely proud of the record of accomplishments of Our Sailors and Marines during my tenure as Secretary, especially following such a tumultuous chapter in the Navy's recent history of crisis following crisis as compared to our other services," Braithwaite wrote in an email. "I submit it's impossible to lead men and women deployed around the world from behind a desk in Washington."
Wake Island: 'Where America's Day Really Begins'
Among Braithwaite's travels, his trip to Hawaii and Wake Island in the South Pacific stands out. The Air Force, not the Navy, has administrative control of the Wake Atoll, a string of islands generally not accessible to civilians. Navy F-18 pilots use the strip and ranges nearby for training. It serves chiefly as a refueling stop and emergency landing strip in the middle of the ocean, thousands of miles from Hawaii. Wake, according to a senior Defense Department official, is not a strategic base like Guam, where the Navy and Air Force have extensive facilities.
more
https://www.yahoo.com/news/2-3-million-travel-8-100040942.html
#13297246 at 2021-03-25 19:21:42 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #16845: Biden Goes Back Into Hiding Edition
Top Navy Auditor Sexually Harassed Women for 20 Years, IG Finds
Ronnie Booth, the former auditor general of the Navy, sexually harassed and sexually propositioned multiple women over more than two decades, the Pentagon's inspector general found.
In a report released Wednesday, the IG said that Booth sexually harassed 12 women who were employed at the Naval Audit Service and "engaged in a pervasive pattern of sexual harassment and quid pro quo sexual propositions" when interacting with women there.
But the IG cleared former acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly of allegations he failed to follow the proper policies when he was told about the sexual harassment allegations against Booth when considering him to be auditor general of the Navy. The IG found Modly properly vetted Booth before selecting him in February 2019.
In July 2019, the IG launched its investigation into Booth after receiving 12 anonymous complaints against him, and he retired two months after being reassigned by Modly.
The report blasts Booth for his decades-long "pervasive and egregious pattern of sexual harassment," and said he sexually propositioned five female employees. Four of those propositions, the IG said, were "clear examples of quid pro quo." Booth, according to the findings, asked for sexual favors from the women in exchange for help advancing their careers, "all under the guise of professional career 'mentoring' that the employees expected from a senior leader."
He also engaged in an off-and-on sexual relationship with a subordinate woman, the IG said. That woman first thought the relationship was consensual, the report said, but later realized that the way he behaved establishing a sexual relationship and then holding career advancements over her qualified as sexual harassment as the Defense Department defined it.
The IG said that Booth's propositions and inappropriate interactions with women created a hostile work environment. Seven of the 12 female employees who he made uncomfortable or caused distress either left the audit service or asked to move to another division due to Booth's behavior, the report said.
In an interview with investigators, the report said, Booth denied ever propositioning or having sex with that employee, or telling other employees that he wanted to have "mentoring" discussions at private locations that were actually meant to be sexual encounters.
The report said that when Booth was given a chance to respond to the IG's conclusions earlier this month, he declined to respond.
"Mr. Booth left us a voice message on March 2, 2021, stating, 'The comments that I gave during my interview I stand by those. Again, I don't know where these accusations are coming from as I stated in my comments. So I will be not sending any written comments,'" the investigators wrote.
The IG interviewed 56 current or former Naval Audit Service employees who interacted with Booth. Of those, 19 said those interactions were professional, and that Booth was polite, smart, and talented.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/03/24/top-navy-auditor-sexually-harassed-women-20-years-ig-finds.html
#10669558 at 2020-09-16 17:49:03 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #13654: @Portland Edition
Chinese software firm that 'provides intelligence to the government and military' collects data from 50,000 Americans - including prominent public figures and military leaders
A Chinese software firm that allegedly provides intelligence to the Chinese government has been collecting data from Americans - including prominent public figures and military leaders - since 2017.
Shenzhen Zhenhua Data Technology has gathered online data and social media on more than two million people worldwide including that of 50,000 Americans for the suspected purpose of providing intelligence to Chinese military, government and commercial clients, according to Australian cybersecurity consultancy Internet 2.0.
The revelation comes after the consultancy gained access to and analyzed a copy of Zhenhua's database - called the Overseas Key Information Database or OKIDB - after it was left unsecured online.
Internet 2.0 downloaded and reconstructed about 10 percent of Zhenhua's database, the consultancy's founder Robert Potter and independent researcher Christopher Balding told the Washington Post.
The OKIDB was found to contain information on more than two million people, including at least 50,000 Americans and tens of thousands of people in prominent public positions including political, military, and business leaders.
This trove of data includes biographies and service records of aircraft carrier captains in the US Navy, profiles and family maps of foreign leaders, and social media activity from overseas US military installations, reported the Post which obtained part of the database from the consultancy.
Files were stored by the company on former Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly including his wife and children, education and private-sector background.
Also listed on the database were the USS Dwight Eisenhower and Nimitz Navy carriers and former chief of naval operations John M. Richardson.
There is no evidence that the data is currently being used by the Chinese government.
However, Zhenhua's marketing and recruiting documents describe the firm as patriotic and the military as its primary target customer, according to the Post.
As well as concerns the data is being passed to Beijing officials, Zhenhua also counts tech firms TRS and Huarong as well as state-owned company Global Tone Communication Technology among its corporate partners.
http://www.womensystems.com/2020/09/chinese-software-firm-that-provides.html
#9695027 at 2020-06-21 14:27:36 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #12410: Father's Day Digging
Navy Upholds Firing of Aircraft Carrier Captain Who Warned of Coronavirus Outbreak on Ship
The Navy has decided to uphold the firing of an aircraft carrier captain whose warning of a coronavirus outbreak on board was leaked to the press, multiple outlets reported on Friday.
Brett Crozier, former captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, sent a letter to superiors in late March pleading for help in controlling coronavirus cases on the ship. Crozier was fired after his letter was leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle almost immediately after the former captain had sent it to superiors.
Two sources familiar with the details of the decision said that the Navy will uphold the promotion of Rear Admiral Stu Baker to captain.
"The results of the investigation justified the relief [of Crozier]," one source told Politico. "He failed to take appropriate action, to do the things that the commanding officer of a ship is supposed to do, so he stays relieved."
Towards the end of April, Admiral Mike Gilday, chief officer of the U.S. Navy, said he believed Crozier should be reinstated. It is not immediately clear what let to the reversal in the Navy's position.
After Crozier's warning leaked to the Chronicle, then-Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly condemned the captain for risking a leak by sending his letter to too many individuals. Modly then flew to Guam and excoriated Crozier in a speech to sailors on the ship. Modly subsequently apologized and resigned his post.
Crozier himself contracted coronavirus and has since recovered. Video of Crozier leaving the aircraft carrier following his firing showed sailors cheering the captain.
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/navy-upholds-firing-of-aircraft-carrier-captain-who-warned-of-coronavirus-outbreak-on-ship/
#9660468 at 2020-06-18 18:14:55 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #12365: Out of the Mouth of Babes Edition
Two Jet Pilots from Carrier Roosevelt Safe After Ejecting in Philippine Sea
An F-A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the carrier Theodore Roosevelt took a swim in the Philippine Sea, but the pilots have been recovered and are OK, Navy officials announced Thursday.
The two-seater fighter jet, assigned to Carrier Air Wing 11, had been conducting routine pilot proficiency training when the pilots made the decision to eject, according to a release from the Roosevelt. It's not clear what preceded the pilots' ejection.
The incident occurred at approximately 10 p.m. Thursday local time, Lt. j.g. Rachel Maul, a spokeswoman for U.S. Pacific Fleet, told Military.com.
The pilots were quickly recovered by a helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8, also deployed aboard Roosevelt. The squadron flies MH-60S Seahawks.
"The incident is currently under investigation," officials said in a release. "Both aviators were assessed by the medical team on board Theodore Roosevelt and are in good condition."
The carrier, which deployed in January, has been in the news for months following a major COVID-19 outbreak in March that resulted in the death of a sailor and more than 1,200 additional cases of the disease. Ultimately, the carrier was sidelined in Guam. Blowback over a plea for help from the commanding officer that went public led to his firing and then the resignation of acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly.
The carrier departed Guam in late May and has been conducting qualification flights in the Philippine Sea ever since.
This mishap is the first ditching of a Navy fighter aircraft this fiscal year. In January, an MH-60 Seahawk assigned to the amphibious command ship Blue Ridge went down in the Philippine Sea during routine operations. Its five aircrew were recovered safely.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/06/18/two-jet-pilots-carrier-roosevelt-safe-after-ejecting-philippine-sea.html
#9273538 at 2020-05-22 05:01:55 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11868: Barack #Obamagate
Kenneth Braithwaite Confirmed as Next Navy Secretary
WASHINGTON – Kenneth Braithwaite was confirmed by the Senate in a voice vote Thursday afternoon to be the 77th Navy Secretary.
Braithwaite is a 1984 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Navy and then Navy Reserve for 27 years. While serving as the U.S. ambassador to Norway, President Donald Trump nominated him March 2 to be the next Navy secretary.
In his opening statement to members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during his nomination hearing May 7, Braithwaite said the Navy is in "troubled waters" and listed some of the recent failings that he believes have caused a breakdown in trust in Navy leadership. His list included the Fat Leonard scandal, the 2017 collisions of the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain, as well as "judicial missteps" and the coronavirus outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
Braithwaite said if confirmed his top priority would be to "restore the appropriate culture" in the service. Culture is what gives an organization a sense of belonging and good order and discipline, he said.
"[Navy] culture exists. I won't say it's broken. I think it's been tarnished," Braithwaite said. "I think the events over the last several years have helped see that occur."
The Navy's recent secretaries have been embroiled in controversies in the last several months.
Richard Spencer, the last Navy secretary, was fired Nov. 24 by Defense Secretary Mark Esper for his handling of the personnel decision of Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher, who was acquitted of murder in 2019 but found guilty of posing in a photo with the dead body of an Islamic State fighter. Spencer had gone around Esper to propose a different strategy to the White House on handling Gallagher and the Navy's review of whether Gallagher would be able to retire with his SEAL trident pin.
Former acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned April 7 after disparaging comments he made to the crew of the Roosevelt about the aircraft carrier's former commander, Capt. Brett Crozier, were leaked online. The Navy announced Wednesday that the ship had left Guam nearly two months after coming into port due to a coronavirus outbreak that infected more than 1,000 sailors aboard the ship.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/05/21/kenneth-braithwaite-confirmed-next-navy-secretary.html
#9086067 at 2020-05-08 23:57:05 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11630: If Retard Baker Can Do It, Why Cant You? Edition
Fired aircraft carrier captain Brett Crozier takes Navy job in San Diego
The former captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt may have been relieved from his duties last month in response to his concerns about coronavirus spreading on his ship. But Capt. Brett Crozier has a new job, as The Navy Times reports that Crozier has left Guam to take a temporary job with Naval Air Forces in San Diego - a gig that could possible serve as a mere interlude before he gets his old position back.
Crozier, who was fired on April 2 in the aftermath of a leaked letter to his superiors, actually tested positive for coronavirus himself, and was quarantining with his former crew in Guam until this week. On Monday, he arrived in San Diego, where he'll begin work as special assistant to the Naval Air Forces chief of staff.
It's still an open question, however, whether or not Crozier might be able to return to his old post. The man who fired him, former acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, also resigned in the firestorm of controversy surrounding the leak, leaving the decision up to his replacement, James E. McPherson. Last week, McPherson delayed his decision on Crozier's reinstatement, saying he still had "unanswered questions" that required more scrutiny.
A Naval Air Forces spokesman couldn't tell The Navy Times if Crozier's new job meant that any conclusions could be drawn about his reinstatement, saying that those decisions were out of their hands.
https://americanmilitarynews.com/2020/05/fired-aircraft-carrier-captain-brett-crozier-takes-navy-job-in-san-diego/
#8960752 at 2020-04-29 14:06:02 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11469: Corney The Star Wars Video Game Commander Edition
>>8960670
>cliff notes please.
>>8960633
>Navy launching broader inquiry into coronavirus stricken aircraft carrier, effectively delaying Navy recommendation of reinstating captain
The Navy will announce Wednesday that it is launching a broader inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of the coronavirus aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, effectively delaying the Navy recommendation that Captain Brett Crozier should be reinstated, according to two US defense officials and an official briefed on the matter.
The expected announcement comes after Secretary of Defense Mark Esper previously declined to immediately endorse the Navy's original investigation into the issue which included a recommendation to reinstate the ship's commanding officer, according to those officials.
US officials told CNN that senior Navy officials had recommended Friday that Crozier be reinstated but Esper was not prepared to immediately endorse that recommendation.
Two defense officials told CNN that the Navy had expected Esper to endorse the recommendation last Friday.
A Pentagon spokesman said Friday that Esper "intends to thoroughly review the report and will meet again with Navy leadership to discuss next steps."
Crozier was fired earlier this month for what the then-acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said was poor judgment by too widely disseminating a warning among Navy officials about the spread of the virus aboard his vessel, a warning that eventually made its way into the press.
Modly resigned days later over his handling of the incident, actions which included a $240,000 trip to Guam where he slammed Crozier and admonished sailors for giving Crozier a rousing send off in public remarks to the crew.
#8959844 at 2020-04-29 10:34:25 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11468: Bread flying out the door! Edition
First of all, this was reported first by The New York Times. NPR confirmed it through a U.S. official who is not authorized to talk. The Navy is not saying anything about this, and the Pentagon would only say that Defense Secretary Mark Esper got a verbal update from Navy officials about this case and will review the written investigation. And among the Navy officials who signed off on this reinstatement, we're told, is Adm. Mike Gilday, the top Navy officer. And what's curious is, Adm. Gilday stood next to the acting Navy secretary Thomas Modly earlier this month and said he supported Modly's decision to fire Capt. Crozier.
And again, you'll remember that this all began when Capt. Crozier wrote a letter sounding the alarm about the coronavirus outbreak on his ship and pushing for a swifter action. Military officials were not pleased because his letter went outside the chain of command and ended up in the press. Also, Crozier did not alert his immediate superior to his letter.
#8912684 at 2020-04-24 23:16:37 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11408: It Is Time! Edition
Top Navy Leaders Want Crozier Reinstated as Roosevelt's Commanding Officer: Report
The Navy's most-senior leaders have recommended that the captain removed from his job this month after warning about a growing health crisis on his aircraft carrier be reinstated as the ship's commanding officer, The New York Times is reporting.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday presented his recommendations to acting Navy Secretary James McPherson, Navy officials said in a statement. McPherson is continuing discussions with Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
"No final decisions have been made," the statement reads.
Esper will now review the full report and meet again with Navy leadership "to discuss next steps," said Jonathan Hoffman, the defense secretary's spokesman. He did not mention a timeline for the follow-up meeting.
"[Esper] remains focused on and committed to restoring the full health of the crew and getting the ship at sea again soon," he added.
Hoffman said earlier Friday that Esper was set to meet with Navy leaders and that he would keep an open mind and likely support the service's recommendation.
Reinstating Crozier as the nuclear-powered carrier's skipper would be a rare move for a commanding officer publicly relieved of command. But the fallout from the decision, made by former acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, has left the service facing significant backlash.
The situation has led to several public relations firestorms, first when video emerged of Crozier's crew cheering for him and chanting his name as he walked off their ship. That was followed just days later by a stunning speech Modly made to the crew aboard the Roosevelt in which he insulted Crozier's intelligence, calling him "too naive or too stupid" to command the ship.
Modly's trip, which ran taxpayers more than $240,000 for the 35-hour round-trip flight to Guam, would ultimately cost him his job. He stepped down from his role as acting secretary – the second person to vacate the office amid controversy in less than six months.
Crozier's firing stemmed from a letter he wrote that was published by the San Francisco Chronicle on March 30. In it, Crozier pleaded with the Navy to take seriously the fast-moving spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, on his ship.
The virus has since infected at least 840 crew members, including Crozier. One sailor, Aviation Ordnanceman Chief Petty Officer Charles Robert Thacker Jr., died of COVID-19.
In his letter, Crozier urged Navy leaders to evacuate most of the Roosevelt's crew to better isolate the personnel and disinfect the ship.
"We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die," he wrote. "If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset – our Sailors."
Modly, after first telling reporters Crozier would likely only be punished if he was found to have leaked the letter to the media, later removed the captain from his position. Crozier, Modly said, revealed sensitive information about the ship's readiness while it was deployed, putting its crew at risk.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/04/24/top-navy-leaders-want-crozier-reinstated-roosevelts-commanding-officer-report.html
#8842129 at 2020-04-18 21:10:51 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11320: And Then There Is FLOTUS Edition
Navy to Decide Fate of Fired Captain
If they find he is a Liberal/D activist SJW then I would show no mercy. If so I bet he has a book deal lined up and deals with Non-profits and Foundations. If that is the case I would lock him up for life so he cannot enjoy the rewards for his sedition.
The Navy's top admiral will soon decide the fate of the ship captain who was fired after pleading for commanders to move faster to safeguard his coronavirus-infected crew on the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
In the glare of a public spotlight, Adm. Mike Gilday will decide whether Navy Capt. Brett Crozier stepped out of line when he went around his chain of command and sent an email pushing for action to stem the outbreak. As of Friday, 660 sailors on the aircraft carrier, now docked at Guam, had tested positive for the virus and seven were hospitalized. One sailor has died, and more than 4,000 of the ship's 5,000 crew members have been moved onto the island for quarantine.
Gilday's review won't be limited to Crozier. It will also look at the command climate on the ship and higher up within the Pacific-based fleet, to determine if there are broader leadership problems in a region critical to America's national security interests.
Gilday has many options as he reviews what was an extraordinarily rapid investigation by Adm. Robert Burke, the vice chief of naval operations. Burke and his staff finished the review in about a week, conducting interviews almost entirely online and by phone between Washington and Guam.
A look at some of Gilday's options, and their benefits and pitfalls.
REINSTATEMENT:
Gilday could decide that Crozier acted in the best interests of his crew and was unfairly removed. He could reinstate him as captain of the Roosevelt.
That could generate a lot of support.
In a widely viewed video, Roosevelt crew members applauded and chanted Crozier's name as he walked off the ship after being fired. When Thomas Modly, the acting Navy secretary who fired Crozier, traveled to the ship and criticized him in a speech to the crew, he came under fire and had to resign.
President Donald Trump even suggested that while Crozier shouldn't have sent the memo, he shouldn't be destroyed for having a "bad day."
But reinstating Crozier has its problems.
It would put him back on a ship with Rear Adm. Stuart Baker, commander of the carrier strike group of which the Roosevelt is the lead ship. Officials say they did not have a good relationship and that was among the problems that triggered Crozier's memo. Gilday may worry that putting them back together would exacerbate the ship's toxic command climate.
FORGIVE AND MOVE ON:
Rather than return Crozier to the Roosevelt, Gilday could absolve him of wrongdoing and recommend he move on to another job. Crozier could retain his rank and standing and perhaps command another ship, leaving open the possibility that he could gain promotion and continue his Navy career.
This would avoid sending him back into the chain of command that likely felt betrayed by his memo. But it doesn't provide the emotional lift of seeing a popular captain stride back onto the ship for which he risked his career.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS:
Gilday could fault Crozier for doing the right thing the wrong way. He could determine that Crozier was unfairly fired, but that he acted rashly and went outside his chain of command and therefore did not exhibit good leadership.
He could put a letter in Crozier's personnel file, which usually is a career-ender. Crozier could stay in the Navy and might move on to other jobs, but would probably not be promoted.
FIRE ONE, FIRE ALL:
Gilday could determine that firing Crozier was appropriate. Unless that's overturned in an appeal process, that would end Crozier's Navy career. In most cases, senior officers simply retire after being relieved of command for cause.
But Gilday could also decide that the ship's problems extended beyond Crozier. He could recommend that Baker be fired or punished for not being receptive to Crozier's concerns.
Gilday's review could also dole out criticism for leaders who may have taken too long to recognize the Roosevelt's outbreak as the deadly problem it became. Those would include the 7th Fleet commander, Vice Adm. William R. Merz; the Pacific Fleet commander, Adm. John C. Aquilino, or the most senior admiral in the Pacific, Adm. Phil Davidson, head of Indo-Pacific Command.
William Fallon, a retired four-star admiral and former commander of U.S. Pacific Command, says Gilday's decision is important to American interests in the Asia-Pacific region, where an aircraft carrier presence is central to U.S. strategy.
(continued–link)
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/virus-navy-outbreak-uss-roosevelt/2020/04/18/id/963507/
#8819361 at 2020-04-17 00:54:20 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11291: We Wanna 'nother One E-Bake Editi
Navy identifies Roosevelt sailor who died from coronavirus outbreak
The Navy has identified the 41-year-old sailor who died during a coronavirus outbreak that has sickened hundreds on the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt. The sailor who died was identified Thursday as Chief Petty Officer Charles Robert Thacker, Jr. He died Monday from COVID-19 complications at a naval hospital in Guam, where the aircraft carrier docked after the outbreak began. Thacker was taken to the intensive care unit after being found unresponsive. He was an aviation ordinanceman from Fort Smith, Arkansas. Thacker's spouse, also an active-duty service member, was flown to Guam from San Diego and was by Thacker's side when he died, according to the Navy.
Capt. Carlos Sardiello, the Roosevelt's commanding officer, said in a statement that the ship's thoughts and prayers are with Thacker's family following his death. "Our number one priority continues to be the health and well-being of all members of the Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group and we remain steadfast in our resolve against the spread of this virus," he said. The U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt made headlines after an outbreak of novel coronavirus quickly tore through the ship, leading then-Capt. Brett Crozier to send an unclassified letter expressing concern for the sailors to numerous people in a move officials said was meant to result in media coverage.
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly later resigned after a speech he gave to Crozier's former sailors was leaked. In the speech aboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt, Modly quipped that Crozier was either "too naive or too stupid to be a commanding officer" of the aircraft carrier. Since then, there has been an investigation into the incident, and Adm. Michael Gilday, the chief of naval operations, said he remains open to the possibility of reinstating Crozier, who is seen as a sort of hero to many on his former ship. Since the controversy, more than 600 onboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for the virus, including Crozier himself.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/navy-identifies-roosevelt-sailor-who-died-from-coronavirus-outbreak
#8748516 at 2020-04-10 19:19:59 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11200: Anons Don't Speculate and Give MSM Ammo! Edition
DS
'Nothing Off the Table': Pentagon Won't Rule Out Reinstating Fired Navy Captain
The top Navy officer and defense secretary have the same message when it comes to Capt. Brett Crozier being reassigned to the job from which he was removed last week.
"We've taken nothing off the table."
That's what Defense Secretary Mark Esper told CBS News on Friday morning. On Thursday, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday also said he's open to reinstating Crozier as the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt.
"I am taking no options off the table," Gilday told The Associated Press. The CNO hasn't spoken to Crozier, the outlet reported, and isn't facing pressure from anyone about the investigation.
Gilday "just wants to make sure his actions are fair," according to the AP.
The Navy has completed its investigation into Crozier, though the results have not been made public. Crozier was relieved of command April 2. That was after he sent a plea for help with a growing health crisis on his ship to several people outside his chain of command.
Since Crozier's warning, which came in the form of a four-page letter that was later published by the San Francisco Chronicle, nearly 10% of the Roosevelt's crew has tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
Crozier is one of them. Another member was moved into an intensive care unit Thursday after being found unresponsive in Guam, where thousands of sailors have been moved off the ship to stem the spread of the virus among the crew.
The decision to remove Crozier from his position has been met with controversy. When Crozier left the ship, videos emerged of his crew applauding him, chanting the captain's name as he left.
Former Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, who made the call, has since stepped down after he disparaged the ousted captain in a speech he gave to the crew days later. Modly flew to Guam to make the speech, which media outlets reported cost taxpayers more than $240,000. He resigned Tuesday following mounting pressure from lawmakers and others over his handling of the situation.
Esper told CBS his guidance to Gilday and the new acting Navy secretary, James McPherson, was to ensure no further action is taken against Crozier until after the service's investigation into his actions is complete.
"We'll see where that takes us," he said.
"What I look to do is hear from the chain of command," Esper added. "My inclination is always to support the chain of command and to take their recommendations seriously."
The defense secretary said he expects to hear the Navy's findings and recommendations "in the coming days."
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/04/10/nothing-table-pentagon-wont-rule-out-reinstating-fired-navy-captain.html
#8736105 at 2020-04-09 19:26:05 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11186: WWG1WGAEdition
Did Trump give Israel 1 million face masks despite coronavirus equipment shortages in the US?
An Israeli press report claiming the US Department of Defense had shipped one million face masks to Israel to help protect Israeli soldiers has angered Americans, causing some to question the Trump administration's priorities amid the coronavirus pandemic amid reports of shortages of protective equipment for US health workers.
The Pentagon's alleged shipment was initially reported by the Jerusalem Post, however mention of American involvement was later scrubbed, raising suspicions that US public anger may have forced Israeli military censors to act.
Israel's army is notorious for tightly monitoring media output, having barred or redacted over 2,000 stories just last year, according to the Movement for Freedom of Information.
"US Department of Defense give 1 million masks to IDF for coronavirus use," read a headline published by the Jerusalem Post on Wednesday, referring to the shipment that had arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport on Tuesday night.
The original article said: "A plane carrying over a million surgical masks for the IDF landed in Ben-Gurion airport Tuesday night, in an operation run by the US Department of Defense's Delegation of Procurement".
Curiously, the headline was later revised to: "Israel brings 1 million masks from China for IDF soldiers" but traces of the old headline can be seen in the article's URL.
All mention of the US Department of Defense's alleged involvement also appear to have been removed, with no reason given in the updated article for the revision or official retraction posted.
A yet-to-be-deleted tweet by the Jerusalem Post official account still shows the original introduction (screenshot here).
The New Arab has reached out to the Department of Defense's Defense Logistics Agency for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication. The DLA on its website says it "provides logistical, acquisition, and technical support for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and other federal agencies and allies."
Israel's spy agency Mossad has been involved in a frantic effort to secure protective gear as Tel Aviv scrambles to respond to a major coronavirus outbreak.
The initial headline mentioning US involvement in the shipment sparked fury on social media, where users highlighted America's own struggles to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
"American hospitals are begging for protective gear, this is sickening," wrote one Twitter user, referring to US medical workers who have complained about reported shortages of protective gear for frontline workers.
"While frontline American health workers go without & Palestinians are told to use their socks, Trump ships a million masks to israel's army," wrote another, referring to reports that Palestinian prisoners were told by Israeli authorities to use socks as face masks.
The Trump administration has been praised by Israeli leaders as the friendliest ever to Israel.
The delivery of alleged US supplies to support Israel's military comes just days after a US Navy captain was removed for alleging that the Pentagon had given inadequate attention to a Covid-19 outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier.
Brett Crozier wrote a letter that was leaked to the media describing the virus-struck vessel's dire situation.
Following Crozier's removal, US Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned on Tuesday over his mishandling of the affair and the heavy-handed approach towards the navy captain.
The Crozier affair was just the latest in a string of missteps by the Trump administration amid the coronavirus pandemic, drawing sustained criticism from the American public.
US President Donald Trump initially downplayed the virus, which he likened to an ordinary flu and said was under control in the United States, before later accepting that it was a national emergency.
More than 12,000 Americans have now died from Covid-19.
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2020/4/8/did-the-pentagon-give-israel-1-million-face-masks
#8734918 at 2020-04-09 17:54:05 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11184: Let's Flatten Their Curve Edition
'We have too many ships at sea': Pentagon says more Theodore Roosevelt-level coronavirus outbreaks are possible
New large-scale coronavirus outbreaks within the US military are certainly possible given the amount of assets it has deployed worldwide, the Pentagon has said, adding it was getting ready to operate in the "Covid environment."
"I think it is not a good idea to think that the [Theodore Roosevelt outbreak] is a one of a kind issue," Air Force General John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a press briefing on Thursday.
We have too many ships at sea, we have too many deployed capabilities. There's 5,000 sailors on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. To think it will never happen again is not a good way to plan.
A small number of coronavirus cases have been already detected at another US aircraft carrier - the Nimitz - the general added. According to media reports, however, up to four US carriers have registered cases of the disease to date.
The Theodore Roosevelt coronavirus outbreak prompted a major scandal in the US Navy after a letter by former skipper Captain Brett Crozier, in which he pleaded with his superiors for an immediate evacuation of the crew to "prevent tragic outcomes," was leaked and published. While his request was ultimately granted last Thursday when the ship docked in Guam, the whistle-blowing captain was sacked for "causing alarm."
The incident also led to the downfall of Acting US Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, who openly - and harshly - criticized Crozier, calling the officer either "too naive or too stupid" to command an aircraft carrier. Modly was then himself castigated by those who deemed Crozier a "hero" for caring more about his men than his career, and the official was forced to resign on Monday.
Meanwhile, the number of positive cases on the nuclear-powered vessel jumped by over 100 on Wednesday, and currently stands at 416. One sailor from the coronavirus-plagued aircraft carrier has been taken into intensive care after his condition worsened, the US Navy has said.
Still, the Theodore Roosevelt remained combat-ready despite the outbreak and was taken back to port as a "precaution," Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist insisted while speaking at the same press conference as Hyten. The coronavirus infection is not going anywhere in the next few months, and now the US military is adapting to operate in the "Covid environment," the official added, warning "adversaries" against seeing the outbreak as an opportunity to target US forces.
https://www.rt.com/usa/485411-pentagon-more-coronavirus-outbreaks/
#8732278 at 2020-04-09 07:36:49 (UTC+1)
Q Research General: #11181 the BIGGER the PILL the Harder the SHILL Edition
Former SECNAV's trip to Guam for in-person speech to
sailors cost $243,000
6 hours ago
"Former acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned Tuesday. (MC2 Samantha Montenegro/Navy)
Thomas Modly's resignation as acting secretary of the Navy came less than one day after he told sailors aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt that their recently-fired commanding officer was either "too naive or too stupid" to command.
Although he later apologized for his word choice to sailors aboard the coronavirus-stricken ship, the trip to Guam had already taken its toll on Modly's professional career - and on the wallets of taxpayers.
According to estimates obtained by the Washington Post Wednesday, Modly's last-minute tirade came with an airfare bill of $243,151.65.
The near quarter-million dollar tab included approximately 35 hours of round-trip flight time to Guam in a C-37B jet at a cost of almost $7,000 per hour, the Washington Post reported. The jet reportedly stopped to refuel in Hawaii on each leg of the trip.
The former acting Navy secretary flew to Guam to offer sailors an explanation for his hasty dismissal of Capt. Brett Crozier. The former commanding officer of the Roosevelt was fired following the leak a letter he wrote, which was obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle, pleading for U.S. intervention to stifle a COVID-19 outbreak on the 4,800-person ship.
"It was a betrayal," Modly told Roosevelt sailors, who just days earlier sent their commanding officer off amid rousing applause and chants of Crozier's name as he departed the ship for the last time.
"And I can tell you one other thing: because he did that he put it in the public's forum and it is now a big controversy in Washington, D.C. If he didn't think, in my opinion, that this information wasn't going to get out to the public, in this day and information age that we live in, then he was either A, too naive or too stupid to be a commanding officer of a ship like this. The alternative is that he did this on purpose."
Modly's job was immediately called into question by numerous Democratic members of Congress including House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., who accused Modly of taking a "tone-deaf approach more focused on personal ego.""
moar:
https://www.navytimes.com/2020/04/08/former-secnavs-trip-to-guam-for-in-person-speech-to-sailors-cost-243000/
#8729579 at 2020-04-09 01:47:47 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11177: Define Propaganda Edition
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/acting-navy-secretary-resigns-after-calling-fired-carrier-captain-stupid-2020-04-07
WASHINGTON - Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned Tuesday, bringing to a climax an extraordinary drama that he advanced by delivering a profanity-laced upbraiding of the officer he fired as captain of the coronavirus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt.
In announcing the resignation, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Modly quit on his own accord, "putting the Navy and the sailors above self," so the Navy and the Roosevelt can move forward. The Roosevelt is sidelined in port at Guam as members of the crew are tested for the coronavirus and moved ashore.
"His care for the sailors was genuine," Esper said.
Esper said he briefed President Donald Trump on his conversation with Modly, and with the president's approval he is appointing James McPherson as acting Navy secretary. McPherson, a Navy veteran, is currently serving as undersecretary of the Army. He was confirmed in that position by the Senate last month.
Esper called McPherson a "smart, capable and professional leader who will restore confidence and stability in the Navy during these challenging times."
Esper said he also met with Navy leaders and emphasized three priorities, including putting the health, safety and welfare of the Roosevelt crew first, and working to get the ship back out to sea as soon as safely possible.
#8725658 at 2020-04-08 20:52:43 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11172: Q Up Your Armor of God Edition
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigns over handling of coronavirus-hit carrier.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/04/08/world/us-navy-secretary-resigns-coronavirus-carrier/#.Xo5GUHJ7mM8
#8720375 at 2020-04-08 06:21:39 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11165: Modernizing Suicide Weekend, Beat The Bandwith Blues Edition
>>8720369
Resignations in the news 4/7/2020 - part 2
Lynott retiring as campus president at SNHU
https://www.unionleader.com/news/education/lynott-retiring-as-campus-president-at-snhu/article_d3ae7744-ccc6-57c8-afcd-8eb90a6af51d.html
HEAD COACH OF 10 YEARS PAUL KUETERMAN RESIGNS FROM DIVISION I SIENA COLLEGE
https://swimswam.com/head-coach-of-10-years-paul-kueterman-resigns-from-division-i-siena-college/
Top CraftWorks execs were fired over tax payments
https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/retail/article/21127031/filings-top-craftworks-execs-were-fired-over-tax-payments
Mauro Ferrari quits after just three months at helm of EU research agency, citing "uncoordinated" COVID-19 response.
https://sciencebusiness.net/framework-programmes/news/sudden-resignation-erc-president-stirs-heated-dispute-over-motives
Walton resigns as East Union football coach
https://www.djournal.com/sports/high-school/walton-resigns-as-east-union-football-coach/article_65ccffe9-2136-5677-aa7d-d2f8763928be.html
Helena lawmaker announces plans to resign
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/apr/07/helena-lawmaker-announces-plans-resign/
McCook Community College basketball coach resigns
https://www.knopnews2.com/content/sports/McCook-Community-College-basketball-coach-resigns-569442421.html
Abbeville police chief fired; supporters unable to speak
https://www.wsfa.com/2020/04/07/abbeville-police-chief-fired-supporters-unable-speak/
Provost to resign
https://www.laramieboomerang.com/news/local_news/provost-to-resign/article_0364af64-9081-5a87-a035-421e533efa3b.html
Locke resigns as football coach, becomes East AD
https://www.timesnews.net/Football/2020/04/06/Locke-resigns-as-football-coach-becomes-East-AD
Former Nevada governor leaving MGM to pursue UNR presidency
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/education/article/Former-Nevada-governor-leaving-MGM-to-pursue-UNR-15172369.php
Brugnoli resigns from International Boxing Association Executive Committee
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1092906/brugnoli-resigns-from-aiba-exco
2 New York Judges Who Pleaded Guilty to Felonies Have Resigned, Judicial Conduct Commission Says
https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/judge-who-pleaded-guilty-in-attempted-panty-theft-resigns-six-months-after-guilty-plea
Allianz confirms CEO's resignation from Socso
https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2020/04/07/allianz-confirms-ceo039s-resignation-from-sosco
Acting Navy secretary Thomas Modly resigned one day after he prompted a firestorm by traveling to the USS Theodore Roosevelt
Arlington County Board member Erik Gutshall resigns seat over illness
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/arlington-county-board-member-erik-gutshall-resigns-seat-over-illness/2020/04/06/e51d43e2-7854-11ea-a130-df573469f094_story.html
Sabine Parish deputy fired after arrest
https://www.ktbs.com/news/local/sabin-parish-deputy-fired-after-arrest/article_4df8db8c-78c4-11ea-a225-836f2f2714e6.html
Chairman Leaf Resigns From RA Board
https://www.sportingpost.co.za/2020/04/michael-leaf-resignation/
Trump Ousts Pandemic Spending Watchdog Known for Independence
http://archive.fo/JAe4Z
#8717853 at 2020-04-08 01:03:05 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11162: POTUS & Q Appreciation Edition
>>8717643
Newsday Editorial Board Article
(hack piece but it illustrates the hatred of the media)
The president's destructive move against IGs
https://www.newsday.com/opinion/editorial/ig-coronavirus-covid-19-inspector-general-donald-trump-glenn-fine-1.43727555
To President Donald Trump, the most important character trait an underling can exhibit is loyalty to President Donald Trump. A president deserves advisers and support staff he can trust.
In some jobs, though, federal officials must put loyalty to the nation, adherence to the law, transparency and truthfulness above personal or political fealty. Nowhere is that more true than in the offices of the nation's inspectors general. Their impartiality and fairness are crucial attributes, which makes this tear Trump has gone on against three highly regarded inspectors general both dangerous and destructive.
Tuesday Trump removed Glenn Fine from his position as acting inspector general of the Defense Department. That means Fine will also lose a key role he was named to by a panel of federal inspectors general last week, chairman of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee that is overseeing the nation's $2 trillion coronavirus relief package. Fine, a former Justice Department inspector general who has served four presidents over two decades, is widely regarded as a straight shooter whose loyalty is to the law. Trump's removal of him is just the latest example of a pattern of undermining impartial oversight.
Late Friday, Trump fired Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Michael Atkinson. An attorney who came into the Department of Justice after the 9/11 attacks, Atkinson was appointed to his current position by Trump, and promised to revive a largely defunct whistleblower program. He did so most famously by finding credible the claim of a CIA agent detailed to the White House that Trump solicited interference from the Ukrainian government in his reelection bid.
Atkinson was right to send the complaint to Congress. Trump's call with the Ukrainian president was worthy of investigation, and led to his impeachment. But Atkinson failed to meet Trump's key criterion: absolute loyalty.
This week, Trump has been on the warpath against Health and Human Services Inspector General Christi Grimm, furious with her report detailing shortages of supplies and delays in testing at hospitals across the country treating coronavirus victims. Asked about the report during his Monday evening news conference, Trump demanded, "When was she appointed? Do me a favor and let me know." The implication was that Grimm is an Obama holdover out to embarrass him. Fact: Trump appointed her in January.
Trump's demand of absolute loyalty is so extreme that it at times pushes underlings into actions that seem to appall even the President. Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned Tuesday after his vicious attack on Capt. Brett Crozier, whom Modly relieved of duty for publicizing the vulnerability of his 5,000-member crew to the coronavirus. Modly's move rightly infuriated the nation.
Trump often puts his needs before the nation's, or believes they are one and the same. Ideally, they would be. But when it comes to oversight, the nation needs fearless and impartial internal watchdogs. Trump's demand for loyalists undermines the government's ability to operate properly, and the nation's belief that it can.
#8715902 at 2020-04-07 21:51:43 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11159: Thug Life Kayleigh - New White House Press Secretary Edition
Acting Navy chief resigns after insulting ousted captain of coronavirus-hit aircraft carrier
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly offered to resign as he faces criticism for remarks he made about the USS Theodore Roosevelt's former commander, Capt. Brett Crozier. Modly submitted a resignation letter on Tuesday, which Defense Secretary Mark Esper accepted, after a one-on-one meeting. "Secretary Modly served the nation for many years, both in and out of uniform. I have the deepest respect for anyone who serves our country, and who places the greater good above all else," Esper said in a statement. "We must now put the needs of the Navy, including the crew of the Teddy Roosevelt, first, and we must all move forward together."
Several lawmakers, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called for Modly to be removed for a speech he gave to the vessel's crew members on Monday, which was leaked to the media, during which he said Crozier was either "too naive or too stupid to be a commanding officer of a ship like this." Crozier was relieved of duty after a letter expressing his worries about a coronavirus outbreak on the ship was published in the media. Officials asserted that Crozier had purposely allowed the letter to be leaked to the media. Undersecretary of the Army James McPherson has been picked to succeed Modly. McPherson is a retired admiral with 26 years of naval service. Esper said in his Tuesday letter that McPherson is "a smart, capable, and professional leader who will restore confidence and stability in the Navy during these challenging times."
The leaked audio of Modly addressing crew members on the USS Theodore Roosevelt soon went viral on the internet. The secretary could be heard blasting Crozier to his former crew. "I'm gonna tell you something, all of you: There is never a situation where you should consider the media a part of your chain of command," Modly said. "Because the media has an agenda, and the agenda that they have depends on which side of the political aisle they sit, and I'm sorry that's the way the country is now, but it's the truth. And so they use it to divide us and use it to embarrass the Navy. They use it to embarrass you." "If he didn't think, in my opinion, that this information wasn't going to get out into the public, in this day and information age that we live in, then he was either … too naive or too stupid to be a commanding officer of a ship like this. The alternative is that he did this on purpose," he added.
Modly offered an apology to Crozier on Monday. "I want to apologize to the Navy for my recent comments to the crew of the TR. Let me be clear, I do not think Captain Brett Crozier is naive nor stupid. I think, and always believed him to be the opposite," he said. Defense officials said that Crozier's removal was because the letter was purposely distributed to the media and was written improperly. "The letter was sent over not-secure, unclassified email even though the ship possesses some of the most sophisticated equipment in the fleet," Modly said at a Pentagon press conference on Thursday.
In addition to the lawmakers who had pushed back on the Navy's decision, sailors aboard Crozier's former ship cheered as he was escorted off the aircraft carrier after it docked in Guam for testing on Thursday night. Videos posted to social media showed throngs of people seeing Crozier off. President Trump said on Monday he was going to "get involved" in the matter and characterized the dispute as "two good people arguing." Sending the letter was a bad decision that caused the families of those aboard the ship to worry, Trump said, adding that "it shows weakness." "Look, the letter shouldn't have been sent. Certainly, they shouldn't have been leaked," Trump said. "This is a military operation. I must tell you, I've heard very good things about the gentlemen, both gentlemen, by the way. I will say this about both gentlemen. And I may look into it only from the standpoint that something should be resolved. I'm hearing good things about both people." The Office of the Secretary of Defense did not comment on the matter when contacted by the Washington Examiner. As of Tuesday, 230 crew members on the ship have tested positive for the coronavirus.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/acting-navy-chief-submits-resignation-after-insulting-ousted-captain-of-coronavirus-struck-aircraft-carrier
https://twitter.com/EsperDoD/status/1247625834011209728
#8715169 at 2020-04-07 20:13:45 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11158: DS Hyped up the Crisis ~ Reconcile Edition
The acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly, has resigned 1 day after audio of him disparaging Captain Crozier was leaked.
https://twitter.com/dcexaminer/status/1247602971031945217
#8715063 at 2020-04-07 19:50:39 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11158: DS Hyped up the Crisis ~ Reconcile Edition
>>8714960
pelosi wanted Modly ousted - based on her claims, she should immediately resign also and report to federal custody for treason, sedition and crimes against humanity.
Pelosi Statement Calling for Removal of Acting Secretary of the Navy Modly
https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/4720
San Francisco - Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement calling for the removal of Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly following his abrupt decision to relieve Captain Brett Crozier from his command and his highly inappropriate comments made after the firing:
"Our oath of office is to protect and defend the Constitution, and therefore our first responsibility is to protect and defend the American people. To that end, our priority is force protection of our men and women in uniform who sacrifice to keep Americans safe. That is exactly what Captain Crozier was doing when he called for help for the men and women in his charge.
"Sadly, Acting Secretary Modly's actions and words demonstrate his failure to prioritize the force protection of our troops. He showed a serious lack of the sound judgment and strong leadership needed during this time. Acting Secretary Modly must be removed from his position or resign."
#8715044 at 2020-04-07 19:46:20 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11158: DS Hyped up the Crisis ~ Reconcile Edition
>>8714960
sputniknews based an cnn report (but at least the sput is more reliable than NY media outlets, kek)
Acting US Navy Secretary Offers to Resign Over Handling of COVID-19-Infected Carrier - Reports
https://sputniknews.com/us/202004071078870822-acting-us-navy-secretary-resigns-over-handling-of-covid-19-infected-carrier—reports/
Acting US Navy Secretary Thomas Modly reportedly submitted his resignation letter Tuesday, just one day after US President Donald Trump told reporters during a White House briefing that he would be willing to get involved in the matter of the COVID-19-infected USS Theodore Roosevelt.
Officials with knowledge of the development told Politico that Modly submitted his resignation letter to US Defense Secretary Mark Esper after a one-on-one meeting earlier in the day. The individual further noted that Modly did not do so as a result of pressure from Esper or the White House.
It is unclear whether Esper has officially accepted Modly's resignation.
Moments before the news broke, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) called for Modly to be dismissed from his post, stressing that the US Navy leader "showed a serious lack of sound judgement and strong leadership" when he fired the Roosevelt's now former Capt. Brett Crozier.
"Our oath of office is to protect and defend the Constitution, and therefore our first responsibility is to protect and defend the American people. To that end, our priority is force protection of our men and women in uniform who sacrifice to keep Americans safe. That is exactly what Captain Crozier was doing when he called for help for the men and women in his charge," reads Pelosi' statement.
"Sadly, Acting Secretary Modly's actions and words demonstrate his failure to prioritize the force protection of our troops."
https://twitter.com/jimsciutto/status/1247603081002483712
#8715007 at 2020-04-07 19:40:01 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11158: DS Hyped up the Crisis ~ Reconcile Edition
>>8714960
Placeholder population start Aug 2019
Q
Thomas Modly
Acting
since November 24, 2019
#8715006 at 2020-04-07 19:39:59 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11158: DS Hyped up the Crisis ~ Reconcile Edition
>>8714960
Acting Navy Secretary Modly resigns after calling ousted captain 'stupid'
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly abruptly resigned Tuesday after he called former USS Roosevelt Commander Capt. Brett Crozier, who was fired last week, "stupid" in a speech to the USS Theodore Roosevelt's crew on Monday. Modly initially defended his comments to the crew, then apologized late Monday. James McPherson, acting undersecretary of the Army, has been tapped to replace Modly.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/acting-navy-secretary-Modly-resigns-after-calling-ousted-captain-stupid-2020-04-07
#8714994 at 2020-04-07 19:38:05 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11158: DS Hyped up the Crisis ~ Reconcile Edition
Acting Secretary of Navy Thomas Modly resigned today
James E. McPherson
Acting Under Secretary of the Army to replace him
Sauce: announced live on CNBC a few moments ago
Sometimes sorry isn't enough?
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/navy-secretary-apologizes-calling-fired-captain-stupid-70026986
#8714985 at 2020-04-07 19:36:55 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11158: DS Hyped up the Crisis ~ Reconcile Edition
>>8714960
>>8714909
>>8714921
Acting secretary of the Navy has submitted his resignation after calling ousted aircraft carrier captain 'stupid'
Washington (CNN)Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly has submitted his resignation a day after leaked audio revealed he called the ousted commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt "stupid" in an address to the ship's crew, according to a US official and a former senior military official.
The Navy and Department of Defense did not respond to a request for comment.
On Monday, Modly told the crew of the Roosevelt that their former commander, Capt. Brett Crozier, was either "too naive or too stupid" to be in command or that he intentionally leaked a memo to the media, in which Crozier warned about coronavirus spreading aboard the aircraft carrier and urged action to save his sailors, according to remarks obtained by CNN.
Late Monday night, Modly apologized in a statement for calling Crozier "stupid" in his earlier remarks.
"Let me be clear, I do not think Captain Brett Crozier is naive nor stupid. I think, and always believed him to be the opposite," Modly said in his statement. "We pick our carrier commanding officers with great care. Captain Crozier is smart and passionate. I believe, precisely because he is not naive and stupid, that he sent his alarming email with the intention of getting it into the public domain in an effort to draw public attention to the situation on his ship. I apologize for any confusion this choice of words may have caused."
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/07/politics/Modly-resign-crozier-esper-trump/index.html
#8714960 at 2020-04-07 19:33:09 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11158: DS Hyped up the Crisis ~ Reconcile Edition
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly has resigned
sauce: CNBC 12:38pm CST
James E. McPherson
Acting Under Secretary of the Army to replace him. Nothing else seen yet
#8714909 at 2020-04-07 19:25:23 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11158: DS Hyped up the Crisis ~ Reconcile Edition
Acting US Navy Secretary Resigns Over Handling of COVID-19-Infected Carrier - Reports
Acting US Navy Secretary Thomas Modly reportedly submitted his resignation letter Tuesday, just one day after US President Donald Trump told reporters during a White House briefing that he would be willing to get involved in the matter of the COVID-19-infected USS Theodore Roosevelt.
https://sputniknews.com/us/202004071078870822-acting-us-navy-secretary-resigns-over-handling-of-covid-19-infected-carrier—reports/
#8714480 at 2020-04-07 18:15:20 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11158: DS Hyped up the Crisis ~ Reconcile Edition
Navy Secretary Apologizes For Calling Carrier Captain "Too Stupid" As 230 Sailors Now Infected
The saga of the coronavirus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt now docked at Guam continues, as CNN reports Tuesday that at least 230 sailors have now tested positive for Covid-19.
CNN said further that over 70% of the crew has now been tested, after last week the Navy said it plans to test all of the some 5,000 crew members. Currently only 2,000 have been moved ashore and into emergency makeshift quarantine facilities at a Guam Navy base. This despite the Navy last Friday saying it planned to move closer to 3,000 ashore.
There's also been continued political fallout over the Navy controversially sacking USS Roosevelt commander Capt. Brett Crozier (himself recently testing positive for the virus) for penning a letter sent via unclassified communications - and subsequently leaked. Crozier had urged the Navy's top brass to temporarily put 'military and battle readiness' on hold in order to get an urgent handle on the crisis. If the Navy focuses on being battle ready, it will lead to "losses to the virus," Crozier had said.
Capt. Crozier was relieved of command last Thursday, and upon disembarking the ship received a hero's ovation by hundreds of sailors gathered on the deck. Despite his 'sacrificial' move to put his crew's health first and foremost, which gained him broad support among enlisted ranks, Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly blasted Crozier's actions as "stupid" in a controversial speech made aboard the carrier.
"If he didn't think, in my opinion, that this information wasn't going to get out to the public, in this day and information age that we live in, then he was either A, too naive or too stupid to be a commanding officer of a ship like this," Modly said in the speech, a recording of which was also leaked.
He shortly after doubled-down when asked about the controversy: "I stand by every word I said," he said initially.
https://www.zerohedge.com/health/navy-secretary-apologizes-calling-carrier-captain-too-stupid-230-sailors-now-infected
#8712973 at 2020-04-07 13:54:31 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11156: 404d Out of Order by Not Out of Mind Edition
new DJT RT
@AmberSmithUSA
President Trump 'to get involved' in Thomas Modly-Capt. Brett Crozier dispute
3:59 PM - 6 Apr 2020 PDT
https://twitter.com/AmberSmithUSA/status/1247297986369126400
'Going to get involved': Trump to settle dispute between Modly and fired Capt. Crozier
Ben Wolfgang
President Trump said Monday he is "going to get involved" in settling a heated dispute between Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly and former USS Theodore Roosevelt Capt. Brett Crozier, who was fired last week after writing a letter about a worsening coronavirus outbreak aboard his ship that was later published by the San Francisco Chronicle.
During a press conference at the White House, the president praised both men and said he doesn't want Capt. Crozier's career to be ruined because of a "bad day."
"I've heard very good things about the gentleman, both gentlemen," Mr. Trump said. "I may just get involved ... you have two good people and they're arguing. And I'm good, believe it or not, at settling arguments."
Capt. Crozier's "career prior to that was very good," the president continued, "so I'm going to get involved and see exactly what's going on there. Because I don't want to destroy somebody for having a bad day."
Mr. Trump did not specify exactly how he'll get involved or what steps he'll take to settle the controversy.
The president's comments came on the heels of Mr. Modly addressing the 4,000 crew members of the Roosevelt - which is now docked in Guam after more than 150 sailors tested positive for COVID-19 - and blasting Capt. Crozier.
"If he didn't think, in my opinion, that this information wasn't going to get out into the public in this day and information age that we live in, then he was either 'A' too naive or too stupid to be commanding officer of a ship like this. The alternative is that he did this on purpose," Mr. Modly said, according to a transcript and recording of his message over the ship's public address system.
Democratic lawmakers and other critics blasted Mr. Modly for his remarks. The president cast it as a very "strong statement" but stressed that the "letter shouldn't have been sent."
Military officials have argued that in writing a letter that ultimately found its way to the press rather than speaking in private to his superiors, Capt. Crozier sent a signal to adversaries that the U.S. military had been compromised.
Mr. Trump offered a similar assessment.
"It's unfair to the families on the ship because they get nervous - and it shows weakness," he said. "And there's nothing weak about us now."
After departing the Roosevelt last week, Capt. Crozier tested positive for COVID-19, according to media reports.
#8704655 at 2020-04-06 18:58:02 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11145: W-W-G-1-W-G-A ! ! ! Edition
Acting Navy Secretary blasts ousted USS Theodore Roosevelt's captain as 'naive' and 'stupid' in address to ship's crew
Published 1 hour agoLast Update 10 mins ago
https://www.foxnews.com/us/acting-navy-secretary-ousted-uss-theodore-roosevelt-captain-stupid-naive-coronavirus
In remarks made to the remaining sailors aboard the ship, acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly slammed the now-ousted captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt as "too naive or too stupid" to be a commanding officer, multiple sources confirmed to Fox News.
Modly fired Capt. Brett Crozier last week for sounding the alarm about the need to offload the sailors onboard the USS Roosevelt due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
Crozier, 50, had authored a letter warning that an outbreak of the sometimes-deadly virus had created a dire situation on the carrier. The letter ended up in the hands of a San Francisco Chronicle reporter, who first reported its contents last week.
"If he didn't think, in my opinion, that this information wasn't going to get out into the public, in this day and information age that we live in, then he was either A, too naive or too stupid to be a commanding officer of a ship like this," Modly said of Crozier. "The alternative is that he did this on purpose."
"Think about that when you cheer the man of the ship who exposed you to that…I understand you love the guy. It's good that you love him. But you're not required to love him," Modly said, adding the letter penned by Crozier had "sensitive information" regarding the condition of the aircraft carrier.
In a fiery address broadcast over the ship's PA system, Modly warned soldiers against disclosing information to the media, saying Crozier's letter was a "betrayal of trust, with me, with his chain of command."
"It was a betrayal. And I can tell you one other thing: because he did that he put it in the public's forum and it is now a big controversy in Washington, D.C.," he said, according to a copy of the remarks provided to Fox News by Navy officials.
In a fiery address broadcast over the ship's PA system, Modly warned soldiers against disclosing information to the media, saying Crozier's letter was a "betrayal of trust, with me, with his chain of command."
"It was a betrayal. And I can tell you one other thing: because he did that he put it in the public's forum and it is now a big controversy in Washington, D.C.," he said, according to a copy of the remarks provided to Fox News by Navy officials.
Navy officials said some 173 sailors on the USS Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for COVID-19, and 61 percent of the crew has been tested in all, with about 2,000 sailors moving ashore.
President Trump said at the White House coronavirus briefing on Saturday that he backed Modly's decision.
"He shouldn't be talking that way in a letter," Trump said of Crozier. "I thought it was terrible what he did."
Defense Secretary Mark Esper told CNN on Sunday that Crozier's removal was warranted, saying, "We hold leaders accountable for their actions."
Crozier had started showing COVID-19 symptoms before he was removed from the warship last Thursday, The New York Times first reported, citing two Naval Academy classmates of Crozier's close to him and his family. Modly ordered Crozier to step down, citing a failure to follow the Navy's chain of command. He accused Crozier of inciting "panic" with the letter.
#8698326 at 2020-04-06 00:44:35 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11136: CNN Still Sucks Edition
They get the news so fast ….
Captain removed from coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier reportedly tests positive for COVID-19
Source: Xinhua| 2020-04-06 07:23:37
5:17 PM · Apr 5, 2020
WASHINGTON, April 5 (Xinhua) – Captain Brett Crozier, who has commanded aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt until his recent removal by the Navy for sounding the alarm about a coronavirus outbreak on board, has tested positive for the virus, The New York Times reported on Sunday.
The Times, citing Crozier's Naval Academy classmates, said Crozier exhibited symptoms before he was relieved of his duty on the warship Thursday.
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said Sunday an investigation into Crozier's actions is ongoing. "All the services at times relieve commanders without the benefit of an investigation up front because they've lost confidence in them. It's certainly not unique to the Navy," he said on CNN's "State of the Union" program.
The secretary also confirmed that there have been 155 positive tests among sailors on board the Roosevelt, that more than half of the crew have been tested, and that there have been no hospitalizations.
The Navy planned to evacuate 2,700 of the roughly 5,000 crew members on the vessel, leaving the rest on board to maintain the ship's operation. As of Saturday, 1,548 service members have disembarked the ship, and The Times, citing local hotel association, said at least an additional 400 service members will be moved to Guam hotels Sunday.
Crozier sent a five-page internal letter earlier this week to higher-ranking officials in the chain of command, pleading for help from the Pentagon to contain a COVID-19 outbreak aboard the Roosevelt by transferring 90 percent of the crew onto Guam for quarantine. The ship now docks in Guam.
"We are not at war," the captain wrote in the letter, which was first made public by the San Francisco Chronicle. "Sailors do not need to die. If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset - our sailors."
Crozier's ousting was announced Thursday by Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, who said the captain allowed "the complexity of his challenge with the COVID breakout on the ship to overwhelm his ability to act professionally when acting professionally was what was needed the most at the time."
"In sending it out pretty broadly, he did not take care to ensure that it couldn't be leaked," Modly said. "And that's part of his responsibility."
President Donald Trump said Saturday that he supported Crozier's firing, adding "it was terrible what he did."
The Democrats, however, condemned the Navy. Democratic lawmakers in both the Senate and the House asked for a probe into the matter.
Immediately following Crozier's ouster Thursday, the Democratic leaders of the House Armed Services Committee issued a statement condemning his removal. "Captain Crozier was justifiably concerned about the health and safety of his crew, but he did not handle the immense pressure appropriately," the lawmakers said, adding that "relieving him of his command is an overreaction."
"Throwing the commanding officer overboard without a thorough investigation is not going to solve the growing crisis aboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt," they said.
Democratic senators Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland wrote a letter co-signed by 15 of their colleagues Friday to Acting Inspector General for the Department of Defense Glenn Fine, urging him to launch a formal investigation into the Navy's response to the COVID-19 outbreak on the Roosevelt, as well as its decision to fire the captain.
"It is essential that your office conduct a comprehensive investigation to avoid any potential conflicts of interest within the Navy chain of command, and we encourage you to evaluate all relevant matters associated with the dismissal and the outbreak on the ship," they wrote in the letter.
Former Vice President Joe Biden criticized the Navy's actions. "I think it's close to criminal the way they're dealing with this guy," Biden said Sunday on ABC's "This Week," adding that Crozier "should have a commendation rather than be fired."
In a Friday tweet hailing the captain, Biden said Crozier "was faithful to his duty-both to his sailors and his country."
"Navy leadership sent a chilling message about speaking truth to power," the former vice president said. "The poor judgment here belongs to the Trump Admin, not a courageous officer trying to protect his sailors."
More
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-04/06/c_138950218.htm
#8695398 at 2020-04-05 20:45:44 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11133: Tippie Top Days To Come Edition
Report: Fired Commander of Aircraft Carrier Captain Crozier Tested Positive for Coronavirus
The ex-commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Navy Capt. Brett Crozier, tested positive for coronavirus before he was removed from command, according to a report.
Crozier began exhibiting symptoms before he was removed from the ship on Thursday, the New York Times reported on Sunday morning, citing two of Crozier's close friends.
Navy Secretary Thomas Modly fired Crozier on Thursday, after a memo he wrote urging Navy leaders to get sailors off the ship faster in Guam due to a coronavirus outbreak leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle, Crozier's hometown paper.
Modly said Crozier was not fired for raising concerns, but for emailing the memo over an unsecured and unclassified system and cc'ing more than 20 people, including some outside the chain of command, and for not bringing his concerns to his direct superior, who lived on the ship down the hallway from him.
https://www.breitbart.com/2020-election/2020/04/05/commander-aircraft-carrier-crozier-coronavirus/
#8694655 at 2020-04-05 19:08:59 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11132: Spring Cleaning FTW Edition
Fired Commander of Aircraft Carrier Captain Crozier Tested Positive for Coronavirus
The ex-commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, Navy Capt. Brett Crozier, tested positive for coronavirus before he was removed from command, according to a report.
Crozier began exhibiting symptoms before he was removed from the ship on Thursday, the New York Times reported on Sunday morning, citing two of Crozier's close friends.
Navy Secretary Thomas Modly fired Crozier on Thursday, after a memo he wrote urging Navy leaders to get sailors off the ship faster in Guam due to a coronavirus outbreak leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle, Crozier's hometown paper.
Modly said Crozier was not fired for raising concerns, but for emailing the memo over an unsecured and unclassified system and cc'ing more than 20 people, including some outside the chain of command, and for not bringing his concerns to his direct superior, who lived on the ship down the hallway from him.
Videos emerged on Friday of Crozier exiting the ship, and hundreds of crew members gathered together cheering, "Captain Crozier!"
Until the Times' report on Sunday, there was no indication that Crozier himself had tested positive for coronavirus, or was exhibiting symptoms himself.
It is not clear whether he had those symptoms at the time of his writing the memo, which was dated Monday, March 30. The memo leaked to the Chronicle the next day, Tuesday, March 31. Crozier was fired on Thursday, April 2.
"It is unclear when he was first tested for Covid-19 or when he received his results," according to the Times.
A Navy spokesman told the Times that Crozier has been reassigned to the headquarters of the Naval Air Forces Pacific command in San Diego, but that he must complete a quarantine period first in Guam.
Democrat leaders on the House Armed Services Committee criticized Crozier's removal as an "overreaction," although they conceded that he "clearly" went outside the chain of command and "did not handle the immense pressure appropriately."
Joe Biden has called Crozier's firing "close to criminal" and has blamed the "Trump admin" despite the decision being Modly's own.
"I think he should have a commendation rather than be fired," he said.
President Trump on Friday said he backed Modly's decision, and said the ship should have never stopped on a port visit to Vietnam just several weeks ago.
Navy leaders have previously defended that decision, saying there were only 16 known cases of coronavirus further up north at the time.
https://www.breitbart.com/2020-election/2020/04/05/commander-aircraft-carrier-crozier-coronavirus/
#8693734 at 2020-04-05 16:47:09 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11131: Wash Your Hands of the [DS] ~ The Games Begin in T-minus Edition
Ousted Navy captain Brett Crozier tests positive for COVID-19 after being fired for raising coronavirus alarm
OUSTED Navy captain Brett Crozier has tested positive for COVID-19 just days after being fired for sounding the coronavirus alarm about an outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
His diagnosis comes from two Naval Academy classmates of Crozier's, the NY Times reported Sunday.
he two classmates, who are reportedly close with Crozier and his family, said the Navy chief began showing symptoms before his removal from the vessel.
Crozier was fired last week by the Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly.
He is now facing disciplinary action and will be "reassigned" according to his superiors, despite the Navy facing a huge backlash over the dismissal.
https://www.the-sun.com/news/640430/navy-captain-brett-crozier-positive-coronavirus
#8676185 at 2020-04-03 22:11:50 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11109: A Great Place Edition
Videos show sailors sending off ousted USS Roosevelt commander with cheers, applause
https://www.foxnews.com/us/uss-roosevelt-commander-cheered-crew
(Can't post vid, maybe smarter anon can)
The ship docked a week earlier in Guam after several cases of coronavirus were reported aboard the ship. Crozier wrote a letter to senior military officials, which was leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle and published Tuesday.
The letter discussed conditions on the ship, particularly regarding the danger it posed to the sailors. Crozier warned that "if we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset - our sailors."
Crozier went on to request to have almost the entire crew removed to slow the spread of the outbreak.
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly announced Crozier's removal during a Pentagon news conference on Thursday. Modly claimed that the letter "created a panic, a little bit of panic on the ship."
"This decision is not one of retribution," Modly said.
"I did not come to this decision lightly. I have no doubt in my mind [Captain] Crozier did what he thought was in the best interest [of] the safety and well being of his crew. Unfortunately, he did the opposite.
"It unnecessarily raised alarms with the families of our sailors and Marines with no plan to address those concerns," Modley continued. "It raised concerns about the operational security and operational capability of that ship that could have emboldened our adversaries to seek advantage and it undermined the chain of command."
He was also not happy the letter was sent out over email that is "not secure."
Modly said he didn't mind Crozier raising concerns, but "it was the way in which he did it."
Modly said it "created panic on the ship" and "misrepresented the facts," adding that Americans back home were "panicked."
The Navy has already moved some 1,000 sailors off the ship and was working to remove another 2,700 by Friday.
>Crozier went on to request to have almost the entire crew removed to slow the spread of the outbreak.
>The Navy has already moved some 1,000 sailors off the ship and was working to remove another 2,700 by Friday.
Nothing like the Brass covering their own Asses!
Patriot Capt. relieved.
#8665225 at 2020-04-02 21:37:56 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11095: POTUS Presser Edition
This Captain violated his ship's Operational Security and NationalSecurity!
DS swamp being drained….
Pentagon Fires Navy Captain Who Spoke Out About Response To Aircraft Carrier Outbreak Of COVID-19
This is turning into a major sh*tstorm…
The Pentagon has relieved Navy Capt. Brett Crozier, the commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, from command of the aircraft carrier after he allegedly leaked a copy of a scathing letter he wrote to top brass requesting that all but the bare minimum (he said 10% ) of the sailors on his boat be let off to prevent a brutal outbreak of COVID-19.
Reports about the sailors, the first aboard a ship on active duty to test positive for COVID-19, first emerged last week, and the situation has become a growing hot potato as the White House and Pentagon have resisted allowing the sailors to disembark.
Similar to how Trump initially wanted to keep the passengers of the 'Diamond Princess' from leaving the ship, it's believed Trump pressured the Pentagon not to let the sailors off because it would look bad for the administration. There are 4,865 sailors on board, and
But Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly replied that he didn't believe leaving only 10% behind would be appropriate. "Our plan has always been to remove as much of the crew as we can while maintaining for the ship's safety," he said. "This ship has weapons on it, it has munitions on it, it has expensive aircraft, and it has a nuclear power plant. It requires a certain number of people on that ship to maintain the safety and security of the ship."
Even writing the request was probably out of line for Crozier, who clearly felt obligated to act to stop his crew from being infected en masse as part of a PR strategy. But the obvious leaking of the letter was clearly a bridge too far.
"I recognize that there've been a lot of questions about the Teddy Roosevelt, particularly over the last 24 hours," Modly said during a recent Pentagon press conference. "We have accelerated testing and are deep cleaning all the spaces on the ship. We are providing the commanding officer what he has requested and we are doing our best to accelerate the pace wherever we can."
Whispers about Crozier's imminent firing emerged shortly before the news was confirmed. The firing has unleashed a torrent of criticism against Trump, while others argued that in the military, following your conscience often means losing your stripes.
Navy Captain Brett Crozier was removed from the USS Theodore Roosevelt I'm sure because he wrote a letter to his superiors imploring them for help. In my mind as a former Navy wife (husband USN/Ret) he's a hero! #NavyHero
- DoodleMom (@SnowflakePeg) April 2, 2020
It's unclear whether he will face any additional punishment.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/pentagon-fires-navy-captain-who-spoke-out-about-response-outbreak-aboard-aircraft
#8640370 at 2020-03-31 22:53:57 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #11063: Keep Comm and Hive On Edition
Captain of USS Theodore Roosevelt requests nearly 4,000 sailors be isolated as coronavirus spreads
https://www.stripes.com/news/navy/captain-of-uss-theodore-roosevelt-requests-nearly-4-000-sailors-be-isolated-as-coronavirus-spreads-1.624395
WASHINGTON - The captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt has requested permission to remove most of the aircraft carrier's crew from the ship and isolate roughly 4,000 sailors to help curtail a coronavirus outbreak aboard the vessel.
Capt. Brett Crozier wrote in an unaddressed letter Monday to Navy leadership that the ship's environment is "most conducive to spread of the disease" with open shared sleeping areas, shared restrooms and workspaces, and confined passageways to move through on the ship. He wrote the Roosevelt's crew is unable to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or Navy procedures to protect the health of sailors through individual isolation on the ship for 14 or more days.
"Due to a warship's inherent limitations of space, we are not doing this. The spread of the disease is ongoing and accelerating," Crozier wrote.
The Roosevelt is docked in Guam where it diverted after its first several cases of the virus aboard the ship were reported last week. The number of cases on the Roosevelt now are between 150 and 200 sailors, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report citing a senior officer on the aircraft carrier. Crozier's letter was first reported by the Chronicle
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly announced Thursday that the Roosevelt was in the process of testing 100% of the crew after more cases were found and more test kits were being flown to the ship.
Crozier wrote in his letter that a focus on testing does not stop the spread, it only proves that a sailor has the virus. Of the first 33 sailors who were found positive on the Roosevelt, seven of them tested negative and then presented symptoms within one to three days after the test, he wrote.
Crozier also pointed to a research article about the commercial cruise ship Diamond Princess that states if the passengers had been evacuated early, only 76 would have been infected instead of the 619 people who eventually were.
The cruise ship was able to isolate people more effectively than the Roosevelt can, and they still had hundreds of infections, he wrote. The Roosevelt's "best-case results, given the current environment, are likely to be much worse," he wrote.
Crozier requested the Navy use all available resources to find quarantine rooms for the entire crew as soon as possible.
A Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to speak about the issues raised in the letter, said Crozier had alerted leadership in U.S. Pacific Fleet on Sunday evening about ongoing challenges with stopping the spread of the coronavirus and requesting to have more of the crew in better isolation facilities.
"Navy leadership is moving quickly to take all necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of the crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt, and is pursuing options to address the concerns raised by the commanding officer," the official said.
Modly said in an interview Tuesday on CNN that he had heard of the letter, and the Navy has been working for several days to move sailors off the ship. However, Guam does not have enough beds, he said, so the Navy is looking for hotel space and to create tent facilities for sailors.
"But we don't disagree with the [commanding officer] on that ship, and we're doing it in a very methodical way because it's not the same as a cruise ship. I mean that ship has armaments on it, it has aircraft on it ... we have to run a nuclear power plant. So there's a lot of things that we have to do on that ship that make it a little bit different and unique," Modly said.
Crozier wrote 10% of the crew would have to stay on the Roosevelt to run the reactor plant, ensure security, and sanitize the ship. That smaller crew is to him a "necessary risk" to get the ship underway as quickly as possible and keep sailors healthy and safe. Keeping everyone on board, however, "is an unnecessary risk and breaks faith with those sailors entrusted to our care."
"If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset - our sailors," he wrote.
#8586184 at 2020-03-27 16:48:25 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #10993: Polls Are Good For Potus Edition
After Navy reveals US supercarrier sidelined by coronavirus, defense secretary orders lid on 'mission-specific information'
SUPERCARRIER SIDELINED: First, there were three sailors medevaced from the USS Theodore Roosevelt after testing positive for the coronavirus. Then, five more crew members were flown off the ship as it plied the waters of the Pacific. More than a dozen other sailors were put in isolation. And now, all 5,000 sailors on board will be tested as the massive supercarrier sits pierside in Guam, in what the Navy says was a "previously scheduled port visit."
"We are taking this threat very seriously and are working quickly to identify and isolate positive cases while preventing further spread of the virus aboard the ship," said acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly. "No sailors have been hospitalized or are seriously ill."
The Navy has not identified the source of the initial infections, but the sailors began to show symptoms after the ship made a port call in Da Nang, Vietnam, earlier this month.
LOOSE LIPS: The Navy insists that, if needed, the Roosevelt could be quickly deployed, once infected sailors are removed for quarantine. "We are confident that our aggressive response will keep USS Theodore Roosevelt able to respond to any crisis in the region," Modly said in a statement.
But Defense Secretary Mark Esper is apparently concerned that, in its zeal to be transparent with the American public, the U.S. military may be providing too much intelligence about the state of readiness of U.S. forces around the world. For instance, the United States might not want to broadcast that its most powerful maritime asset in the Pacific is currently, even if only temporarily, sidelined by a viral infection.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/after-navy-reveals-us-supercarrier-sidelined-by-coronavirus-defense-secretary-orders-lid-on-mission-specific-information?utm_source=whatfinger
#8572406 at 2020-03-26 16:29:43 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #10975: Covid19 Vax WUT? "You First Nigga" Edition
>>8572391
https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1243212388452765697
A U.S. Navy aircraft carrier where nearly two dozen sailors have reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus will pull into port in Guam while everyone on board is tested for the virus, the Navy's top civilian said Thursday.
"We found several more cases on board the ship," acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said at a Pentagon briefing. "We are in the process of testing 100 percent of the crew of that ship to ensure that we're able to contain the spread of whatever might have occurred there on the ship.
"But I also want to emphasize that the ship is operationally capable and can do its mission if required to do so," he continued. "So the ship is pulling into Guam. It will be pierside. No one on the crew will be allowed to leave anywhere into Guam, other than on pierside."
Modly said at the briefing that eight sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier had tested positive and were flown off the ship, as was reported Wednesday evening.
But the Wall Street Journal reported shortly after the briefing wrapped that at least 23 sailors aboard the ship have now tested positive for the virus.
A Navy spokesman could not immediately confirm the number to The Hill.
The ship holds a crew of 5,000 sailors, as well as dozens of fighter jets and other types of aircraft.
The carrier had been operating in the Philippine Sea, and the decision to dock it in Guam effectively sidelines what officials consider a major source of America's power projection.
The carrier was last in port 15 days ago in Danang, Vietnam. Officials have previously said the coronavirus cases may not necessarily be tied to the port visit since aircraft regularly land on the ship, bringing in new people from outside the command.
Modly said all the sailors who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 are experiencing mild symptoms.
"The sailors who have been flown off the ship are currently doing fine. None of them have been required to be hospitalized because their symptoms are very mild," he said. "They're aches and pain and those types of things, sore throats, but nothing that required hospitalization. So they are in quarantine now on Guam."
He also said there is limited capacity to conduct coronavirus tests in labs on board the carrier without flying the tests to outside labs. There are about 800 testing kits aboard the ship, with more being flown there today, he added.
In all, Modly said 104 active-duty sailors, 23 civilians, 16 dependents and 19 contractors have tested positive in the Navy.
The Marine Corps has had 44 positive coronavirus tests, he added, including 31 active-duty, five civilians, five dependents and three contractors. The Marine Corps cases include a Marine who is stationed at the Pentagon.
The Navy and Marine Corps cases account for about a third of all cases connected to the Pentagon, a trend for which Modly said "it would be speculation for me to try to give you a reason for why that has happened."
As of Thursday morning, the Pentagon said it had a total of 600 coronavirus cases: 280 active-duty, 134 civilians, 98 dependents and 62 contractors.
#8341811 at 2020-03-07 18:24:01 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #10679: Contribute Something Good & Productive Edition
Navy to commission USNS Hershel "Woody" Williams Saturday
March 6 (UPI) – The Navy will commission its newest expeditionary sea base, the USNS Hershel "Woody" Williams, at a ceremony in Norfolk, Va., Saturday morning.
According to the Pentagon, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va, is slated to deliver the commissioning ceremony's principal address.
Manchin will be joined by Tracie Jean Ross and Tavie Jane Ross, who are the ship's sponsors and are the daughters of Hershel "Woody" Williams, the last surviving Medal of Honor Recipient awarded for heroism at the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.
"This ship honors a man who dedicated his life to service - heroic service as a Marine, and continued service to his fellow veterans," said Thomas Modly, the Navy's acting secretary. "This dedication will live on in USS Hershel 'Woody' Williams as the ship is deployed around the world bringing additional capability to our growing fleet. The ceremony on Saturday will also represent the dedication to service demonstrated by the men and women who worked tirelessly to build this ship and their commitment to quality and innovation."
https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2020/03/06/Navy-to-commission-USNS-Hershel-Woody-Williams-Saturday/7811583540759/?sl=10
#8285623 at 2020-02-29 21:07:51 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #10607: Anons Wear Many Hats Edition
Navy secretary pick Braithwaite gets official nod from Trump
https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/02/28/navy-secretary-pick-braithwaite-gets-official-nod-from-trump/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NAV%20DNR%202.28.20&utm_term=Editorial%20-%20Navy%20-%20Daily%20News%20Roundup
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday officially announced his intent to nominate Kenneth "K.J." Braithwaite as Navy secretary. Braithwaite is currently the U.S. ambassador to Norway.
Braithwaite, a former Navy spokesman and rear admiral, would assume the job after the sudden firing of former financier Richard V. Spencer. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in November that he recommended Braithwaite to Trump for the job.
The nomination of Braithwaite comes as the Navy and the Office the Secretary of Defense are at odds about the sea service's budget.
While Esper has been reluctant to realign the budget to help the Navy's recapitalization efforts, as he is charged with considering the whole of the military, acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly told House lawmakers Thursday that assuming there will be a flat budget in fiscal 2021, the Navy will need more than $120 billion over the next 10 years to implement the Navy and Marine Corps' integrated force structure assessment.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., has not announced a confirmation hearing date for Braithwaite, though one is expected soon. Inhofe has pressed Trump to expeditiously nominate civilians like Braithwaite as the Pentagon grapples with a host of vacant leadership positions.
As ambassador, Braithwaite focused on the security of the Arctic, a region that's seeing an uptick in Russian and NATO activity. He also both pressured Norway to meet the NATO defense-spending target of 2 percent of gross domestic product, and he reassured the Nordic nation that the administration remains committed to the alliance.
A Michigan native and a 1984 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Braithwaite was an anti-submarine warfare pilot who tracked Soviet submarines in the Pacific and Indian oceans for a Hawaii-based patrol squadron. From there, he served in various communications and legislative affairs roles before leaving active service in 1993 and the Naval Reserve in 2011.
In January, CBS News reported that Braithwaite appeared to have previously undisclosed ties to political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica in the year before he was nominated as ambassador, in 2017.
Kenneth Braithwaite
Navy bio: https://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio_ret.asp?bioID=389
Article Nov 2019: https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2019/11/27/meet-kenneth-braithwaite-pick-for-navy-secretary-and-staunch-trump-ally/
wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Braithwaite
#8235367 at 2020-02-24 18:27:21 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #10543: Bye Bye Harvey Edition
Navy and Marine Corps to Ban Personal Firearms for Foreign Troops
The Navy and Marine Corps will prohibit foreign troops from buying and carrying personal weapons as the military continues rolling out new restrictions after a Saudi officer carried out a terrorist attack on a U.S. military base.
International service members training with sailors and Marines at bases in the U.S. or its territories face a host of new rules on personally owned firearms and ammunition, the services announced last week. The restrictions also apply to foreign troops' family members accompanying them.
Foreign troops assigned to Navy and Marine Corps bases, regardless of their country of origin, will be prohibited from possessing, storing, using, transporting, carrying, purchasing, selling or transferring personally owned firearms, weapon components or ammunition, the new policies state.
All international military students will have to sign agreements on the new rules or risk getting booted out of the U.S. Those training with the Navy must do so by April 15 and those training with Marines by May 1.
International troops' family members over the age of 18 must also sign the agreements.
"Failure to do so will result in immediate expulsion from training or school, and orders generated for immediate transfer back to their home country, to include accompanying family members," the Marine Corps' message states.
Foreign service members and their families will have no access to personally owned weapons or ammunition "until after returning to their home country," according to the Navy's policy.
The new restrictions are part of a Pentagon-wide review of security measures following a Dec. 6 shooting on a Navy base in Pensacola, Florida. A Saudi officer training there lawfully purchased a semiautomatic handgun with an extended magazine through a hunting-license loophole.
The exception allows non-immigrant visa holders who otherwise are not permitted to buy firearms or ammunition to purchase them if they have a valid state-issued hunting license permit or other required documentation, David Bowdich, deputy director of the FBI, said last month.
The Saudi lieutenant used the weapon he bought to open fire on a classroom, killing three sailors and injuring several more.
International students who were previously given permission to carry their own weapons and ammunition will have to transfer them to a base armory or other authorized officials for the duration of their assignment, ship them to someone outside the U.S., or dispose of them in accordance with local policies and laws.
The new rules won't apply to government-issued firearms and ammunition foreign troops use while under the supervision of the Navy or Marine Corps as they train, the messages add.
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly on Jan. 31 instructed the Navy and Marine Corps to update their policies prohibiting foreign troops from carrying their own weapons.
This is the third update the Marine Corps has made to base security in the wake of the Pensacola shooting. Earlier this month, the Marine Corps announced that foreign troops will be allowed to access only the base to which they are assigned. Previous policy allowed international military students to move between bases more freely.
The Marine Corps also recently announced it would allow about 3,000 law enforcement personnel to carry concealed weapons on base, even when off duty.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/02/24/navy-and-marine-corps-ban-personal-firearms-foreign-troops.html
#8225653 at 2020-02-23 15:02:24 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #10531: 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima Edition
Navy, Marine Corps Racing to Cut $40 Billion in Spending
(U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Jake McClung)
19 Feb 2020
Military.com | By Gina Harkins
The acting Navy secretary has ordered top brass to find ways to shift billions of dollars away from redundant or outdated programs to pay for high-ticket items – and leaders have been given just weeks to carry out the plan.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, Marine Commandant Gen. David Berger and other Navy Department leaders have until April 15 to find at least $40 billion that can be used to pay for new ships and ballistic-missile submarines. The review, which acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly ordered in a memo Tuesday, must identify ways to "fund the development, construction and sustainment of this new fleet over the next five years."
"As we prepare to go to Congress to defend our … 2021 budget request, it has become increasingly apparent that we have a challenging story to tell," Modly wrote. "We are facing three critical pressurizing mandates that are conspiring to limit our ability to deliver the Integrated Naval Force required by the National Defense Strategy."
Those requirements include a congressional mandate to build a 355-ship Navy, improving readiness shortfalls after years of high operational tempo, and a four decade-long recapitalization of the nuclear ballistic submarine force. All of that, Modly wrote, will need to be paid for amid a "flat budget environment."
We must act now to make tough, fiscally informed choices in order to fund our key strategic priorities using the budget we have, not the budget we wish we had," he added.
The Marine Corps referred questions about the review to the Navy. The Navy did not immediately respond to a request for information about how it will carry out the directive.
Generating $8 billion a year in savings over the next five years will be equal to about 7% of the Navy Department's annual topline budget, Modly told leaders. The savings, he said, will be repurposed to help pay for what he called his top three priorities: designing and building a 355-plus-ship Navy by 2030; ethical and educational opportunities for sailors and Marines; and digital modernization across the forces.
During the review, the acting secretary said leaders should identity low-priority, redundant or legacy programs that can be eliminated, reduced or restructured to meet the services' needs
"We must find savings within the Department to reinvest in the kind of decisive naval force that will provide for our nation's future economic and political security," Modly added.
He also challenged the sea services to a bit of service rivalry in his memo, calling on the Navy and Marine Corps to beat the Army's recent budget cuts.
But the Navy Department cuts will more than triple the $13 billion the Army has trimmed from its budget over the next several years. Coined "Night Court" sessions, Army leaders have met after hours and aggressively moved money away from low-priority programs to fund readiness and modernization efforts.
Related: Army Releases Full List of 80 Programs it Plans to Kill or Trim Back
No portion of the Navy budget is exempt from scrutiny as part of the eight-week analysis, which Modly is calling the "stem-to-stern capability-based strategic review." But the acting secretary marked eight programs that should receive consideration as department leaders look for potential savings.
Some of the changes could include eliminating headquarters, commands or organizations; streamlining naval logistics; outsourcing some programs; consolidating training and installation management; and significantly cutting service-support contracts, among others.
Gilday, the Navy's top officer, said last month that the Navy Department would need a bigger slice of the Pentagon's budget if sailors and Marines are going to be called on to counter China in the Asia-Pacific region.
Splitting the budget equally between the Army, Navy and Air Force doesn't match the requirements of the National Defense Strategy, he added, which calls for a hefty naval presence.
"If you believe that we require overmatch in the maritime, if you believe that in order to execute distributed maritime operations and to operate forward in great numbers now – that we need more iron – then yes, we need more topline," Gilday said.
The Navy Department's 2021 budget request, which includes overseas contingency operations funds, totaled $161 billion, $2.9 billion less than last year's request. The overall Pentagon budget request for next year is $705 billion.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/02/19/navy-marine-corps-racing-cut-40-billion-budget.html
#7647655 at 2019-12-29 00:28:41 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #9785: The Dude Abides Edition
U.S. Navy: Iran might take provocative actions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iran could carry out "provocative actions" in the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere in that region in the future despite a period of relative calm, acting U.S. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said on Friday.
Tensions in the Gulf have mounted since attacks on oil tankers this summer, including off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, and a major strike on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. Washington has blamed Iran, which has denied being behind the attacks.
"I think they're going to continue to perform provocative actions over there … and I think they'll look at every opportunity they can to do that," Modly told Reuters, without giving a timeline or details.
"There's nothing that suggests to me, short of a regime change there, that you have a different tone set from the leadership, that would suggest to me that they're going to stop doing what they've been doing," he added.
Since May, the Pentagon has sent 14,000 additional troops to the region to deter Iran, including an aircraft carrier. Modly suggested that U.S. reactions to Iranian actions could take away from the Pentagon's focus toward priorities like countering China.
"As they start creating mischief over there … our reaction is we send an aircraft carrier over there for 10 months," he said. "What does that do to our carrier readiness? It degrades readiness the longer it's over there." Modly's warning on future actions coincides with China, Iran and Russia beginning joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman.
Waters around Iran have become a locus of international tension, with the United States exerting pressure for Iranian crude oil sales and other trade ties to be cut off, mainly through extensive sanctions.
The Gulf of Oman is a particularly sensitive waterway as it connects to the Strait of Hormuz -through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes - which in turn connects to the Gulf.
Asked if he expected Iran to lash out in the region as a result of internal protests, Modly said he had not seen intelligence on that.
https://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0006257247?fp=5db946146cb714aaca68ee9d56489b28
#7600720 at 2019-12-23 18:36:07 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #9724: Keep up the good fight Edition
Navy, Marine Corps Ordered to Review Insider Threat Training After Attacks
In the wake of three recent incidents on military facilities that resulted in the deaths of six, the Navy and Marine Corps must complete servicewide reviews of the security measures that protect troops and their families.
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly directed the top Navy and Marine Corps leaders to conduct a "security stand-down."
"Execution of the Security Stand-Down is directed to ensure that all of our Sailors, Marines, and Civilians across all of our installations and commands are best postured, trained, and informed to prevent future incidents of this nature," a Marine Corps-wide message announcing the order states.
Modly gave the Navy and Marine Corps until Jan. 10 to finish the reviews. The order follows a series of fatal incidents, including two shootings, at three Navy facilities in Virginia, Hawaii and Florida that left four sailors and two Defense Department employees dead.
Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Oscar Temores was killed Nov. 30 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia when his patrol car was struck by an alleged gate runner. On Dec. 4, Defense Department employees Vincent Kapoi and Roldan Agustin were shot and killed by a sailor at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Hawaii. Two days later, Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, Airman Mohammed S. Haitham and Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters were killed at Florida's Naval Air Station Pensacola when a Saudi officer opened fire on a classroom there.
The deadly incidents have reignited the debate on whether troops should be permitted to carry weapons while on base. The attack in Florida has also raised serious questions about how the government vets international troops who train on U.S. military bases.
At a minimum, Modly told service leaders, the security stand-down should focus on three areas.
The first is a review of physical security measures at bases and the posturing of Random Anti-Terrorism Measures, known as RAM. Those are unpredictable security measures that keep would-be perpetrators guessing about safety inspections and other checks.
Secondly, the Navy and Marine Corps have been ordered to review training on insider threats and what's needed to deter them. The military's insider threat training has generally been focused on overseas deployments after Afghan and Iraqi personnel have turned against U.S. troops downrange.
And last, Modly also wants the services to review their active-shooter pre-planned responses, and whether drills or tabletop exercises are needed to support them.
Commanders, commanding officers and officers-in-charge are ordered to execute the security stand-down.
A Navy official last week declined to say whether any new security measures are in place at bases and other facilities after the attacks.
"We will not speak to any specific security measures or procedures employed on our installations/activities/units," said Lt. Brittany Stephens, a Navy spokeswoman at the Pentagon.
In a previous message to sailors and Marines, Modly praised the heroism displayed during the attacks.
"I learned about countless acts of heroism from the first responders, and many of the victims themselves, which will come to light as the facts of these tragedies are revealed. I assure you that we will all be proud of these heroes and what they did in moments of terror and extreme danger," he said.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/23/navy-marine-corps-ordered-review-insider-threat-training-after-attacks.html
#7447621 at 2019-12-07 18:33:56 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #9525: ALL HANDS ON DECK! Edition
Navy, Pentagon to Review Base Security Following 3 Deadly Incidents in a Week
The Navy pledged Friday to find ways to upgrade security procedures and prevent future attacks following two shootings and a fatal gate runner incident at naval bases in Virginia, Hawaii and Florida in the last week.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper also announced he is "considering several steps to ensure the security of our military installations and the safety of our service members and their families," although he did not give details.
Investigations are underway by the Defense Department, FBI and State Department, as well as local and state officials in Florida, into the shootings at Naval Air Station Pensacola early Friday, allegedly committed by a Saudi national pilot in training, officials said.
"These acts are crimes against all of us," Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said of the incidents, which began Nov. 30 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia when Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Oscar Temores, 23, was killed when his patrol car was struck by a gate runner.
Related: 3 Dead, 7 Injured After Shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola; Shooter Killed
On Wednesday, a sailor identified as 22-year-old Gabriel Romero allegedly shot to death two civilian workers at the shipyard at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam before taking his own life.
In a statement, Modly said it is the "solemn duty" of the service to carry out a review to determine the causes of the three incidents and "work together to prevent them."
The incident at Pensacola was possibly the most concerning from a security perspective as it involved a Saudi national in the kingdom's Air Force who was training with other foreign nationals at the base in Florida's Panhandle.
"There's obviously going to be a lot of questions about this individual being a foreign national, being a part of the Saudi Air Force and then to be here training on our soil," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a base news conference.
"Obviously, the government of Saudi Arabia needs to make things better for these victims," he added.
At the White House, President Donald Trump said that Saudi King Salman Abdulaziz al-Saud had called to express his condolences and give assurances that the shooter did not represent the Saudi people.
"The King said that the Saudi people are greatly angered by the barbaric actions of the shooter, and that this person in no way shape or form represents the feelings of the Saudi people who love the American people," Trump said in a tweet.
At the Pensacola news conference, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said his office got the call at about 6:50 a.m. to respond to shootings in a classroom on the base. Three people were killed and eight more wounded or injured, including two sheriff's deputies, before the shooter was killed by a deputy, officials said.
Morgan said the shooter used a handgun, and a main focus of the investigations will be how the foreign national obtained the weapon and managed to get it on base.
Capt. Timothy Kinsella, the base commander, said personal weapons are not allowed on the base. "You can't bring a weapon on base unless you're part of the security forces," he said.
Since World War II, Pensacola has served as a flight training base for service members from allies and partner nations. The Navy could not immediately give a breakdown for how many foreign nationals are currently training at the base.
Local officials and the Navy would not immediately describe the Pensacola shootings as a terrorist act, but Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican, said it may have been.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, was more definitive.
"We can safely call this an act of terrorism, not an act of workplace violence," Gaetz told local TV station WEAR.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/07/navy-pentagon-review-base-security-following-3-deadly-incidents-week.html
#7444685 at 2019-12-07 05:13:55 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #9521: Riders On The DDoS Storm. ALL FOR A LARP Edition
DEC 7TH, HOW FITTING.
New Gerald R. Ford-class Aircraft Carrier John F. Kennedy to Be Christened Dec. 7
NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia. (NNS) – The Navy's newest aircraft carrier, the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), will be christened on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at Newport News, Virginia.
John F. Kennedy is the second aircraft carrier of the Gerald R. Ford class, slated to replace USS Nimitz (CVN 68), when that ship is decommissioned.
Former NASA Administrator Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden, USMC (Ret.), will deliver the ceremony's keynote address. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, President Kennedy's daughter, will serve as the ship's sponsor and break a bottle of American sparkling wine against a plate welded to the hull.
"USS John F. Kennedy will carry the legacy of its namesake and the power of our nation," said Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly. "The advanced technology and warfighting capabilities this aircraft carrier brings to our global challenges will strengthen our allies and partners, extend our reach against potential adversaries, and further the global mission of our integrated naval force."
Built by Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding division, the Gerald R. Ford class incorporates advances in technology, such as a new propulsion system, electric plant, [Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS)], Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), machinery control, radars and integrated warfare systems.
Salute!
https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=111590&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=100001066782677&utm_campaign=Equip
#7389939 at 2019-11-28 19:25:31 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #9451: Smokin Turkeys, Shills, and Dank Memes Edition
Navy Cancels Trident Review Boards for 3 SEAL Officers Tied to Gallagher Case
The acting secretary of the Navy has called off review boards that would have determined whether three SEAL officers who supervised Special Operations Chief Eddie Gallagher should retain their tridents.
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly announced on Wednesday that he directed Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday to terminate review boards for Lt. Cmdr. Robert Breisch and Lts. Jacob Portier and Thomas MacNeil.
The three SEAL officers served as Gallagher's leaders. Gallagher, who is set to retire this weekend, was acquitted of murder in a July court-martial, but found guilty of posing for a photo with a casualty.
In a lengthy statement about his decision, Modly attributed the move to the "unique circumstances" of the cases, adding that he wanted to prevent further distractions and negative attention to the Naval Special Warfare community.
"I have determined that any failures in conduct, performance, judgment, or professionalism exhibited by these officers be addressed through other administrative measures as appropriate, such as letters of instruction or performance observations on their officer fitness reports," Modly said.
He became the acting civilian head of the Navy on Sunday after SecNav Richard V. Spencer was ousted from the job, in part over how he handled Gallagher's case.
Breisch commanded Gallagher and Portier during their 2017 Iraq deployment. MacNeil was one of the most junior officers in Gallagher's platoon. He was one of the SEALs who reported Gallagher for murder and testified at his trial, where it was revealed that MacNeil violated regulations by drinking in Iraq, The New York Times reported.
Modly said the SEAL community is a unique fighting force that has been at war for nearly 20 years. They have dangerous and important work to do, he said.
He went onto defend his decision to cancel the boards, saying it should not be interpreted as diminishing the ethos U.S. troops are expected to uphold.
"Navy uniformed leaders have my full confidence that they will continue to address challenging cultural issues within the Naval Special Warfare community, instill good order and discipline, and enforce the very highest professional standards we expect from every member of that community," he said. "These are standards that scores of brave Sailors have given their lives to establish and preserve."
Gallagher was set to face the same type of review board on Dec. 2. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said this week that President Donald Trump ordered him to cancel that review board.
Tim Parlatore, Gallagher's lawyer, said earlier this week that he was concerned the Navy was sending at least some of the officers before review boards because they testified on Gallagher's behalf. If the Navy was then moving to take their tridents away, Parlatore called it witness retaliation.
Modly said it is the Navy's obligation to honor the nation's values "in everything we do in peace, in crisis, but most especially in war."
"We can, we must, and we will get this right," he said.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/11/27/navy-cancels-trident-review-boards-3-seal-officers-tied-gallagher-case.html
#6970318 at 2019-07-09 19:47:07 (UTC+1)
Q Research General #8917: Flynn News Big! Read Up! Edition
Pentagon to get its third acting defense secretary of the year
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer will assume the role of acting defense secretary this month for as long as it takes the Senate to confirm or reject the nomination of Army Secretary Mark Esper to become President Trump's second defense secretary. Spencer will be the third official to hold the position on an acting basis, following Esper and former deputy secretary Patrick Shanahan. Pentagon officials made the announcement Tuesday. Under law, as soon as the Senate receives his nomination Esper must step aside and take no actions that would presume his confirmation.
The White House is expected to submit his nomination papers as soon as this week, and once that happens, Esper will move back to his Army office and Spencer, next in the line of succession at the Pentagon, will take over as acting defense secretary. Spencer has been receiving classified briefings in recent days so he will be up to speed on his responsibilities at the senior civilian at the Pentagon. Esper will have no role in policy while his nomination is pending.
The complicated plan is necessary because of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, which places a 210-day limit on how long the top position can be filled by an acting appointee. Esper cannot serve past the end of July, because the 210-day clock began running Jan. 1, when Jim Mattis, the last confirmed defense secretary, left office. But under the law, the clock is "paused" once a new nomination is submitted to the Senate.
The Pentagon says that effectively means Spencer can serve as acting defense secretary as long as it takes the Senate to act on Esper's nomination. Pentagon officials stressed that they are not pressing the Senate for quick or expedited confirmation and they expect senators to take as much time as necessary to hold hearings and vote.
That means Spencer could be acting defense secretary for several weeks. Should the Senate reject Esper, the 210-day clock would start again, allowing time for a new candidate to be nominated. While Spencer is acting defense secretary, his deputy, Undersecretary of the Navy Thomas Modly, will serve as Navy secretary.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/pentagon-to-get-its-third-acting-defense-secretary-of-the-year
8chan/8kun QRB Posts (1)
#9366 at 2019-07-15 20:47:50 (UTC+1)
QRB General #12: BOOM Week Edition
>>9299
Richard Spencer becomes acting defense secretary while Mark Esper goes through Senate confirmation.
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer took the reins at the Pentagon on Monday, becoming the third acting defense secretary since January.
Spencer is expected to temporarily lead the Pentagon while the Senate considers Army Secretary Mark Esper's nomination to succeed James Mattis as defense secretary. The Senate officially received Esper's nomination on Monday.
"The senior team supporting the Office of the Secretary remains in place to ensure institutional continuity," Chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement on Monday. "Notably, this includes David Norquist, the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer, who continues to perform the duties of the Deputy Secretary of Defense; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford; and Eric Chewning, the Chief of Staff for the Department of Defense.
"Additionally, Thomas Modly, Under Secretary of the Navy, is now performing the duties of the Secretary of the Navy. Ryan McCarthy is no longer performing the duties of the Secretary of the Army and is solely serving as Under Secretary of the Army."
Esper had been serving as acting defense secretary since June 24, but the Federal Vacancies Reform Act prevents him from continuing in an acting role once the Senate has received his nomination. For the time-being, he has reverted back to his old job as Army secretary.
On Monday, Spencer walked into the defense' secretary's E-Ring office on the Pentagon's third floor on Monday.
"Ladies and gentleman, how are we doing today?" Spencer asked reporters on the scene.
Before becoming Navy secretary on Aug. 3, 2017, Spencer served as an CH-46 helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps from 1976 until 1981, leaving the Corps as a captain, officials said.
During his tenure leading the Navy, Spencer denied claims from people claiming they were exposed to dangerous chemicals found in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, following a federal judge's December 2016 ruling that the Navy was not liable for damages.
Spencer has also staked his job on fixing the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford's electromagnetic weapons elevators. In January, Spencer told President Donald Trump that if all 11 of the Ford's elevators were not working by the end of the summer, Trump could fire him.
Only two of the Ford's weapons elevators are currently functional, said Navy spokesman Capt. Danny Hernandez. Work on the other nine elevators is expected to last beyond October, when the aircraft carrier leaves the shipyards.
Esper's confirmation hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. He replaced Patrick Shanahan as acting defense secretary after Shanahan withdrew from consideration as defense secretary amid media reports that he and his son had both been involved in violent altercations with his former wife.
Shanahan had served as acting defense secretary after Mattis resigned in December in protest of Trump's decision at the time to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria. Trump subsequently reversed himself.
https://taskandpurpose.com/spencer-acting-defense-secretary