Posted on 02/13/2003 3:37:51 PM PST by GATOR NAVY
The USS Kitty Hawk Battle Group commander, Rear Adm. Steven Kunkle, was relieved of command Thursday, accused of an “inappropriate relationship” with a female officer.
Citing “a loss of confidence in his ability to command,” 7th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Robert Willard took the action following an Article 15 hearing Thursday at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, said Cmdr. Matt Brown, a 7th Fleet spokesman. He added that Kunkle received a punitive letter of reprimand.
The Kitty Hawk Battle Group received orders Feb. 7 to head to the Central Command area of responsibility and is traveling there, Brown said.
“The Kitty Hawk’s orders to the Central Command region are not affected and the battle group remains en route as directed,” Brown said.
“Vice Admiral Willard took action as a result of his loss in confidence in Rear Admiral Kunkle’s ability to shape morale, good order and discipline in his assigned forces as evidenced by his part in this inappropriate relationship,” Brown said.
Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Davis, a spokesman for the Pentagon’s civilian leadership, said that defense officials regard Kunkle’s situation as an internal Navy issue, and that the change of command will not adversely affect the Kitty Hawk’s ability to fight should the U.S. go to war with Iraq.
“Personnel matters are handled by the services,” Davis said Thursday. “We are confident that the Navy leadership is managing this appropriately, and that this battle group will be ready for any future operations.”
Lt. Cmdr. Pauline Storum, a Navy spokeswoman for Navy headquarters at the Pentagon, said Thursday that “7th Fleet is the convening authority, and Navy headquarters declines to comment.”
Capt. Dick Corpus, the battle group’s chief of staff, will serve as acting battle group commander until Kunkle’s relief is identified.
“Vice Admiral Willard has complete confidence in Captain Corpus and the Carrier Group FIVE staff to meet all operational taskings while awaiting the arrival of the new commander,” Brown said.
Kunkle has been assigned temporarily to Commander Naval Forces Japan, pending further review.
Kunkle’s improper relationship was disclosed during the nonjudicial punishment proceedings, Brown said. Kunkle is married, with one grown child.
Brown said he could not identify the officer, “although I can tell you that she is not in Rear Adm. Kunkle’s chain of command.”
Brown said an individual notified the chain of command of what the spokesman termed “credible concerns about a possible inappropriate relationship.
“The Navy takes such allegations seriously and began an investigation, which continues,” he said.
Brown said he was unaware of any previous such charges against Kunkle. The spokesman declined to comment on whether any other aspect of Kunkle’s job performance might be under scrutiny.
Saying that the investigation is ongoing, he also declined to speculate whether any future actions might be taken or contemplated against the rear admiral.
As the commander of several ships including an aircraft carrier, thousands of sailors and an air wing headed into a possible conflict in the Gulf region, Kunkle was in a position of extreme responsibility, Brown said.
“A violation of the UCMJ is a serious matter, especially given the unique position of trust and responsibility inherent in command,” he said.
Kunkle took the helm of the battle group from Willard — the admiral who relieved him of command Thursday — in September 2001.
Willard has axed senior leadership in the battle group before. In September, he fired Kitty Hawk skipper Capt. Thomas Hejl, citing a loss of confidence in his leadership abilities. He was replaced by Capt. Robert D. Barbaree.
Maybe he thought he was expected to follow his superior's example.
I retired from the Active Army 8 years ago, and it was starting to be a problem then and has continued to be so now.
I'm thinking tv movie of the week material here.
Rat had good reason to relieve Kunkle, I'm sure, but the problem goes much deeper. The issue is that we must return to what works, and that is to get women out of operational units -- ships, squadrons, combat support, the whole enchilada.
Similar to the scandal brewing at the Air Force Academy, MEN + WOMEN + CLOSE QUARTERS + STRESSFUL ENVIRONMENT = SEX. As much as the Socialists and irrelevant feminist harpies would like, the laws of nature can't be repealed.
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