US Navy frigate skipper fired after Russia visit

Moscow: The skipper of a US Navy frigate has been fired after a probe established his subordinates were involved in drunken behaviour in the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, the homeport of the Pacific Fleet, the US Navy reported. "Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15 relieved the commanding officer of the San Diego-based frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) Nov 2," the US Navy said in a statement on its website.

"Capt. John L. Schultz relieved Cmdr. Joseph F. Darlak, Vandegrift`s commanding officer, due to loss of confidence after demonstrating poor leadership and failure to ensure the proper conduct of his wardroom officers during a September port visit in Vladivostok, Russia," it said. Executive officer, Lt. Cmdr. Ivan A. Jimenez, the chief engineer and the operations officer were also fired for "personal conduct involving use of alcohol and not adhering to established liberty policies". The Navy Times publication Saturday said citing navy spokeswoman Commander Tamsen Reese as saying that the dismissals came after the Vandegrift pulled into Guam for a port visit. The four officers were being temporarily reassigned to DESRON 23 in San Diego "pending potential administrative actions", she said. Darlak commanded the San Diego-based frigate since July 27. Reese said Cmdr. H. Thomas Workman, deputy commander of Destroyer Squadron 23, assumed command to bring the ship back to San Diego later in November, the Navy Times reported. IANS