The commander of a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean who pleaded with the Pentagon for more help with a coronavirus outbreak aboard his ship has been relieved of duty, according to several news reports, citing U.S. officials.
U.S. Navy Capt. Brett E. Crozier is being removed because of "a loss of trust and confidence," sources told NBC News.
On Monday Crozier wrote a four-page letter to his superiors in Washington about the dire situation unfolding aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is docked in Guam with more than 4,000 sailors, dozens of them infected with the virus. Crozier criticized Navy leadership, saying failed to provide the proper resources to combat an outbreak.
“We are not at war,” Crozier wrote. “Sailors do not need to die. If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset — our sailors.”
The letter was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle on Tuesday. Some news outlets, including CNN, are reporting that Navy brass suspect Crozier may have leaked the letter to the press.
All crew members have since been tested for the virus and by Wednesday 93 were confirmed positive and another 1,000 sailors had been taken to quaratine on shore in Guam.
NBC reports that 2,700 more are expected to unboard, but some will remain behind with the ship.
Thomas Modly, the acting secretary of The Navy was expected to make an official announcement later Thursday.
