The head of the San Diego-based Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 was relieved of command Tuesday, Navy officials said Thursday.

Few details were available this week regarding Cmdr. Randolph Chestang’s firing, which came a little more than a year after he took command.

There was no Naval Criminal Investigative Service probe related to Chestang’s relief, but a command investigation is ongoing, according to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command spokeswoman Cmdr. Cate Cook.

“Commanding officers are held to a high standard,” Cook said in an email. “Their position requires the utmost in responsibility, reliability and leadership, and the Navy holds commanding officers accountable in cases where they fall short of those standards.”

Chestang, 46, could not be independently reached for comment and he did not respond to a request for comment sent through Navy officials.

Multiple telephone messages left by Navy Times were not returned on Thursday.

RELATED

Cmdr. Bill Swinford of Coastal Riverine Group 2 has assumed temporary command of CRS-3 until a permanent replacement is named.

A native of Mississippi, Chestang joined the squadron in 2016 and took command in February 2018, according to service records.

He enlisted in 1991 and was commissioned eight years later.

Headquartered at Naval Outlying Field Imperial Beach, CRS-3 is one of seven coastal riverine squadrons that operate globally and provide security for ports, harbors and other assets.

They also conduct operations in coastal and inland waterways.

Geoff is the editor of Navy Times, but he still loves writing stories. He covered Iraq and Afghanistan extensively and was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. He welcomes any and all kinds of tips at geoffz@militarytimes.com.

Share:
In Other News
Load More