US Navy to remove admiral in Asia after collisions, deaths

(MENAFN- Asia Times)

The U.S. Navy plans to remove from duty the commander of the fleet that has suffered four recent collisions in Asia and the deaths of a number of sailors, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing U.S. officials.

Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, the three-star commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet based in Yokosuka, Japan, will be relieved of command on Wednesday in connection with four collisions since January, including two involving fatalities, two U.S. officials said, according to the Journal. It said Navy officials declined to comment.

The DailyBrief Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox

In the latest incident on Monday, the USS John S. McCain and the tanker Alnic MC collided near Singapore, tearing a hole in the warship's side and flooding compartments that included a crew sleeping area. Ten sailors are reported missing.

US Navy and Marine Corps divers on Tuesday found what were termed human remains inside the guided-missile destroyer, Admiral Scott Swift, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet said.

"The divers were able to locate some remains in those sealed compartments during their search," Swift told reporters at Singapore's Changi Naval Base where the vessel is docked for damage assessment.

An international search-and-rescue continues for the missing sailors.

Comments

MENAFN2308201701590000ID1095761502