The Navy has launched an official investigation into the shooting at Navy Operational Support Center Chattanooga, which will be a wide-ranging assessment of the security at Navy facilities and response plans slated to last about two months.
The investigation, being led by Navy Expeditionary Combat Command head Rear Adm. Frank Morneau, began Aug. 11 and is “focused on force protection directives, policies, programs and procedures,” and coordination with local first-responders, said Fleet Forces Command’s top spokesman Capt. Jack Hanzlik, as well as the response and coordination with local first responders.
Additionally, the Navy will be looking at the support provided to victims, survivors and families in the wake of the shootings that claimed the lives of four Marines and a sailor, Hanzlik said.
In the days immediately following the shooting, Fleet Forces launched a preliminary inquiry, a precursor to a formal investigation, which concluded that a deeper investigation was warranted.
Asked whether the review will examine personal firearm rules on base, Hanzlik replied: “It’s an ongoing investigation, and to comment on any particular aspect of it would be inappropriate. We’re looking at all the facts relative to law, regulation, programs, policies and procedures to determine if there were any possible deficiencies and if they were properly executed.
“The goal is to look at everything that can possibly improve our ability to afford better protection and response in a crisis.”
In the days following the July 16 shootings, Navy Times reported that the NOSC CO, Lt. Cmdr. Tim White, had used his personal firearm to shoot at the assailant, Mohammad Abdulazeez, an action that eyewitnesses survivors of the attack said gave them more time to clear out the facility, saving lives.
After the report there were widespread public concerns that White would be charged for taking his gun into a Navy facility and discharging it illegally, concerns that were fanned into flames by false reports that the Navy intended to discipline White.
White has not been charged with a crime or been disciplined for having his personal handgun on base, and officials say that such an outcome is Several sources have told Navy Times that such an outcome is highly unlikely. White spoke earlier this month at the official memorial in Chattanooga, alongside service leaders like Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.
Hanzlik said The goal of the investigation is to ensure the Navy is properly protecting service members in the United States, Hanzlik said.
“It’s incredibly important to ensure that our personnel have the proper protections and the response mechanisms in place,” he said.
The reviewinvestigation should be wrapped up by the end of September and will likely be released separately from the FBI’s investigation, Hanzlik said.
