Navy: Peleliu CO fired, relief ops to continue - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Navy: Peleliu CO fired, relief ops to continue

The commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship Peleliu was relieved of command Sunday even as his ship helped with the humanitarian mission in flood-stricken Pakistan, after an investigation found he had been “unduly familiar” with crew members, the Navy announced. The relief will not stop Peleliu’s contributions to the flood relief efforts, a spokesman said.

Capt. David Schnell was relieved by Vice Adm. Mark Fox, commander of 5th Fleet, “as a result of an investigation into allegations that he acted in an unprofessional manner toward several crew members that was inappropriate, improper and unduly familiar,” according to a statement from 5th Fleet. Lt. Cmdr. Chris Servello, a spokesman for Naval Surface Forces, said he did not have more details about Schnell’s alleged transgressions.

Capt. Mark Cedrun, chief of staff for the San Diego-based Expeditionary Strike Group 3, flew out to the ship and has taken over command of the Peleliu, and will remain in the post until the Navy names a permanent replacement.

Servello stressed that Peleliu will remain on station off Pakistan and that its crew and Marine Corps air wing will continue to fly the support missions they’ve been assigned as part of Pakistan’s flood recovery. The ship’s 19 helicopters have been shuttling supplies and passengers as part of a multi-national effort to help Pakistan after devastating floods, which have killed some 1,500 people and displaced as many as 20 million.

“The Peleliu remains ready and capable of executing all missions within the ship’s spectrum of operations,” Servello said.

Schnell, who took command of the Peleliu in 2009, is a 1983 graduate of Bemidji State University, according to his official biography; he was commissioned after Officer Candidate School in 1985. Schnell’s previous jobs include time as executive officer of Peleliu, as commander of the frigate Ford; as well as several other tours around the Navy.

He is the 12th skipper fired so far in 2010; the seventh captain of a ship. Fifteen commanding officers were fired in all of 2009, according to Navy and Navy Times records. Since 2000, 143 Navy skippers have been relieved for cause — or, from 2000 through last year, an average of 13.2 firings per year. The highest annual total over that time span, 26 firings, was recorded in 2003.

DISUCSS: THIS STORY