That was Rear Admiral Charles M. Gaouette...
The location of the battle group under his command is questionable...But rumor has it that the BG was close enough to warrant the closing of the gap between their position at the onset of the news of the attack...
A commanding officer has the authority to do what it takes to ensure the safety of the men and women under their command, and responds as SOP and ROE dictates...they close the distance in this case and await authorization from NCA (the president) to conduct CBA (cross border) ops as the situation or orders specify...
The first job which apparently he (Admiral Gaouette) was initiating was to close the distance, making it logistically feasible to conduct sustainable operations if need be...It is a prudent action to take and one given liberty to commanding officers to do, while waiting for the civilian authority to give permission or “stand down” orders to the contrary...
From what I hear, and little of it, he was relieved of command for even initiating the course change in response to the attack...The same was done to AFRICOM General Hamm as well...
It would be really interesting to see these two flag officers deposed before a congressional hearing on the matter, I have always wanted to hear their side of the story...
Back in the day Mr. Gaouette and a few of us ply’d the same water when I was in the fleet...He was competent then, and I see no reson that he acted outside of his authority or standing orders during the initial actions in this incident...I’d still go to war with this guy any day...
I have a strong feeling he was removed, also Carter Ham and to some extent Petreus getting the “silent” treatments by intimidating pressure to be out of the way so they can’t be questioned!!!