The U.S. Navy on Friday relieved from command of a guided-missile destroyer an officer who was photographed firing a misdirected, scoped weapon.
Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander, commander of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group; I felt relieved Commander Cameron Yaste resigned as commander of the USS John McCain, citing a “loss of confidence” in his ability to command the ship. Yaste and the Navy were mocked in April when a since-deleted Navy social media post showed him firing a rifle with a reverse-facing scope. (Related article: US Navy uses drag queen influencers to attract “broader” recruits amid plummeting recruitment numbers)
This was shared on the U.S. Navy's official Instagram account today.
If you see this, please don't destroy your phone. pic.twitter.com/udV0hyvdmJ
— Zachary Bell (@zacharyebell) April 9, 2024
“The Navy holds its commanders to the highest standards and holds them accountable when those standards are not met. Navy leaders are entrusted with great responsibility for their Sailors and ships,” the Navy said in a statement announcing the transfer. “Yaste will report to assume command of the John S. McCain in October 2023. He is currently temporarily redeployed to Naval Surface Forces Northwest.”
According to the Navy, the ship is currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet's area of operations, which includes the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, parts of the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and several key locations in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Iran-backed Houthi terrorists have repeatedly attacked commercial ships and U.S. forces operating in the area since Hamas began its war with Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The Navy's statement did not provide details about specific factors or incidents that may have influenced the decision to fire Yaste.
The Navy did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation's request for comment.
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