Navy removes USS John McCain commander months after photo showed him firing rifle with backward scope. (Shutterstock)
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
SAN DIEGO — The commander of a Navy destroyer that’s helping protect the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Middle East has been relieved of duty about four months after he was seen in a photo firing a rifle with a scope mounted backward.
The image brought the Navy considerable ridicule on social media. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Cameron Yaste, commanding officer of the destroyer USS John McCain, was removed on Friday.
The Navy said Yaste was relieved of duty “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command the guided-missile destroyer” that’s currently deployed in the Gulf of Oman. The statement didn’t elaborate about why Yaste was replaced.
In April, a photo posted on the Navy’s social media showed Yaste in a firing stance gripping the rifle with a backward scope.
The military news outlet Stars and Stripes reported that the Marine Corps took a dig at the Navy, sharing a photo on its social media of a Marine firing a weapon aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer. The caption read: “Clear Sight Picture.”
Related Story: Navy Recruiting Rebounds, but It Will Miss Its Target to Get Sailors Through ...
Navy Removes Photo and Acknowledges Error
The post featuring Yaste was ultimately deleted. “Thank you for pointing out our rifle scope error in the previous post,” the Navy later wrote on social media. “Picture has been removed until EMI (extra military instruction) is completed.”
Yaste has been temporarily replaced by Capt. Allison Christy, deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 21, which is part of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group that’s also in the Gulf of Oman.
The Pentagon sent the carriers to the Middle East to be in position should Israel need help repelling an attack by Iran or other countries, if such a thing happens, military officials said.
The Roosevelt is the flagship of a strike group that has recently included three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, $2 billion vessels that are designed to shield carriers from attacks by air, sea and land.
RELATED TOPICS:
Mountain Lion Attacks 5-Year-Old at Southern California Park and Is Euthanized
30 mins ago
A Boat With Dozens of Migrants Rips Apart in the English Channel Off France, Killing 12
37 mins ago
US Charges Hamas Leader, Other Militants in Connection With Oct. 7 Massacre in Israel
60 mins ago
Merced Native Has Close Call With Plane Crash While Playing Golf
1 hour ago
Mobile Home Park Owner Seeks $1M from City of Fresno in Rent Control Dispute
2 hours ago
5 Felony Charges Filed on Visalia Man in Alleged Sexual Assault of Minor
4 hours ago
Ag Summit at Fresno State Will Explore Water Use Collaboration in California
4 hours ago
AI May Not Steal Many Jobs After All. It May Just Make Workers More Efficient
5 hours ago
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03150252/shutterstock_2044422392-1024x576.jpg)
Commander of Navy Warship Relieved of Duty Months After Backward Rifle Scope Photo Flap
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/16171057/Costco-Entrance.jpg)
Costco Will Cost You: Warehouse Retailer Raises Membership Fees
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03145604/shutterstock_2285800159-1024x576.jpg)
Mountain Lion Attacks 5-Year-Old at Southern California Park and Is Euthanized
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03145018/AP24247513408109-1024x576.jpg)
A Boat With Dozens of Migrants Rips Apart in the English Channel Off France, Killing 12
![Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas in Gaza, greets his supporters during a meeting with leaders of Palestinian factions at his office in Gaza City, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03142834/Yahya-Sinwar-head-of-Hamas-in-Gaza-greets-his-supporters-during-a-meeting-with-leaders-of-Palestinian-factions-at-his-office-in-Gaza-City-Wednesday-April-13-2022.-AP-PhotoAdel-Hana-1024x538.jpg)
US Charges Hamas Leader, Other Militants in Connection With Oct. 7 Massacre in Israel
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03121022/Untitled-2-copy-1024x576.jpg)