As for allowing the release of the CO's last name, it's just common sense. The CO's name appears on just about anything associated with the unit in question (welcome aboard brochure's, autographed pictures, official web sites, etc.), so attempting to hide it at this point would be an exercise in futility and make the government look like total morons (closing the barn door after the horses have escaped, and all that).
The folks on these threads berate the government for its coverups (some legitimate, some just CYA), and in the next breath demand that the government maintain secrecy on stuff that's been in the public domain for years.