The commanding officer of Crew 106 for the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) was relieved of his duties Oct. 13.

Cmdr. Michael Wohnhaas was relieved by Vice Adm. Tom Rowden, Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, due to loss of confidence in his ability to effectively lead and carry out his assigned duties.

The loss of confidence followed an investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding damage to the ship's number 2 main propulsion diesel engine (#2 MPDE) that occurred in the operation areas off the coast of southern California on July 11.

Wohnhaas has been temporarily re-assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in San Diego, Calif.

Capt. Matthew McGonigle, deputy commodore, LCS Squadron One, will assume temporary duties as commanding officer.

No final decision has been made yet on the options for follow-on repairs to Freedom related to the Jul. 11 engineering casualty.

Freedom is homeported in San Diego.

For more information on Freedom visit: http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/lcs1/Pages/default.aspx


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