Pacific Fleet intelligence officer removed following investigation

Stars and Stripes ^ | November 12, 2014 | Erik Slavin

[robowombat]

Pacific Fleet intelligence officer removed following investigation

By Erik Slavin Stars and Stripes Published: November 12, 2014

What happens when a Navy officer gets real on China? YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan – A senior Pacific Fleet official known for his blunt assessment of China has been reassigned following an investigation into mishandling of classified information.

Capt. James Fanell, formerly the Hawaii-based command’s top intelligence officer, is now working as an aide at fleet headquarters, Navy spokesman Capt. Darryn James said Thursday.

James declined to provide specifics on Fanell’s removal, citing privacy concerns.

However, a defense official who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record said Fanell was removed because he had inappropriately disclosed classified information.

The Pacific Fleet investigation also raised concerns of a negative climate in Fanell’s office, the defense official said.

Fanell’s views first gained attention in 2013 at the U.S. Naval Institute West conference, during which he stated that the Chinese PLA Navy’s expansion was focused on sinking an opposing fleet and was largely about countering the U.S. Navy.

At the same conference this year, Fanell’s assessment that China is gathering the capability to fight Japan in a “short, sharp war” made it to Fox News, The New York Times and several international news outlets.

Fanell’s previous outspoken views on China led to speculation that he was removed because of them – a claim Pacific Fleet officials strongly denied Thursday.

“Capt. Fanell’s internal reassignment on Oct. 31 was in no way related to his views on China,” James said. “Any reporting that implies such speculation is not only inaccurate, it is wholly misleading and irresponsible. It is not true.”

The Navy typically releases decisions about removals only when commanding officers, executive officers and command master chief petty officers are involved, or when a crime has been committed.

“This policy protects their privacy and shields them from unwarranted public scrutiny,” James said.

Since Fanell filled none of those positions, the Navy made no official announcement. However, other media reports and speculation over the nature of the removal led Pacific Fleet officials to respond Thursday, James said.

Fanell declined a Stars and Stripes request for comment through a Navy spokesman.

[robowombat]

Clinton?Gore effectively sold the most sensitive data on the Polaris system and space launched nuclear weapons to the PRC in return for both personal gain and payola for the Dem party. The Mahdi continues this treacherous tradition by making a high visibility example of any professional officer who dares speak the truth about Chinese capabilities and ambitions.The PRC has corrupted both the political class (not hard), academia (already being done years ago by agents of influence such as John Fairbank) and finally the military. A past Navy CINCPAC CO is virtually a one man propaganda agency for the disinformation and denial propaganda Peking churns out.

[TBP]

Fired for committing truth?

[2banana]

Direct answer to a direct question

[Michael.SF.]

has been reassigned following an investigation into mishandling of classified information.

If anyone else has ever done this, please raise your right hand.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Has there ever been the firing/removal of this many officers in the military and intel agencies during a President’s administration in American history?

[Zuben Elgenubi]

lol

[M Kehoe]

That is a picture of Sandy Burglar.

5.56mm

[DaveA37]

Another military officer bites the dust. Pretty standard practice these days. One by one they are getting rid of the military leadership in preparation for their total take over.

[mfish13]

I do not believe the story. I’ll bet he got sideways with Obama. Obama has been getting rid of all the good brass.

[gaijin]

Just 12 minutes flying time away from the Senkaku Islands the Chinese built an until recently secret Shuimen Airbase, in Fujian Province, across the staits from Taiwan.

They have J-10's, Su-27's...looks like they have a Hip or two about halfway down the strip, as you'll see:

https://www.google.com/maps/@26.9425226,120.0790185,898m/data=!3m1!1e3

Check out the camo immediately north of the field --it's on the apron, road, and some hangars. This place was obviously positioned to accomodate a big surge in aircraft.

The Chinese also recently installed 32 batteries of their version of the S-300 anti-aircraft missile --looks like they're pretty serious about defending this asset in some conflict scenario.

It would be almost impossible for the Chinese to seize one or all Senkaku Islands without taking one or all of the Miyako Islands, the totally uncontested territory of Japan and home to 50,000 Japanese people.

The stinger:

Some analysts doubt they'd do ANY of this w/o also taking OKINAWA.

[gaijin]

[trisham]

As a child, I lived on a hill overlooking Naha.

[drypowder]

if obozo needs an excuse to fire a US military officer, any will do. The obozo’s obvious goal through demonstration is to eventually disrupt the US military by firing and or neutering the current command structure and then replace them with his crony mini mees.

[firebasecody]

Anyone who has ever discovered a classified spill, or inappropriate use of classified computing, raise your hand! I guess the hooker quit so they had to use the classified handling ruse.

[SunkenCiv]

> “Capt. Fanell’s internal reassignment on Oct. 31 was in no way related to his views on China,” James said. “Any reporting that implies such speculation is not only inaccurate, it is wholly misleading and irresponsible. It is not true.”

[UCANSEE2]

We’ve got about as many fired Military Leaders as we have dead bankers.

[Timber Rattler]

Lots of new “aides” or “special assistants” floating around military headquarters these days.

[JRandomFreeper]

Never believe it until it's denied in the Media.

/johnny

[Bigg Red]

Obola is just following the example of Stalin, one of his inspirations.