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EOD Group 2 commander fired

The commander of Explosives Ordnance Disposal Group 2 was fired Friday for “loss of confidence in [his] ability to command,” according to a Navy news release.

Capt. Thomas Sitsch was dismissed by Rear Adm. Carol Pottenger, commander of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, the release said.

“It was personal in nature,” said Lt. Cmdr. Susan Henson, spokeswoman for NECC. “It was not due to any operational problem with EOD Group 2.”

Henson would not provide further details about events leading up to his dismissal.

“He is not facing any charges of wrongdoing or criminal action under the [Uniform Code of Military Justice] at this time,” she said.

EOD Group 2, based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, oversees three East Coast-based mobile units, a mobile unit based in Italy, Training and Evaluation Unit 2, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2, and two support units. There are 950 active-duty enlisted and 140 active-duty officers assigned to EOD Group 2.

Sitsch had been commander since July 2008, and he previously served as deputy commander of Combined Joint Task Force Troy, which was set up to counter the improvised explosive device threat in Iraq.

Cmdr. Leonard Lyon, the group’s chief staff officer, was named as temporary commander.