Politics & Government

Navy To Widen Probe Into USS Theodore Roosevelt Outbreak

The decision delays a potential reinstatement of the carrier's fired Capt. Brett Crozier, who was relieved of command earlier this month.

City News Service, News Partner
In this March 18, 2020, photo provided by the U.S. Navy, an F/A-18F Super Hornet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the western North Pacific Ocean.
In this March 18, 2020, photo provided by the U.S. Navy, an F/A-18F Super Hornet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the western North Pacific Ocean. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas V. Huynh/U.S. Navy via AP)

SAN DIEGO, CA — Acting Navy Secretary James E. McPherson said Wednesday that he has ordered a second investigation into the COVID-19 outbreak aboard the San Diego-based USS Theodore Roosevelt, as the preliminary inquiry into the outbreak left him with "unanswered questions."

McPherson said he's directed Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael M. Gilday "to conduct a follow-on command investigation," which he said will complement the initial inquiry "to provide a more fulsome understanding of the sequence of events, actions, and decisions of the chain of command surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt."

McPherson said he previously received recommendations from Gilday, but needs another investigation to address issues "that can only be answered by a deeper review."

Find out what's happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

The decision delays a potential reinstatement of the carrier's fired Capt. Brett Crozier, who was relieved of command earlier this month after then-Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said Crozier's publicized letter asking Navy leadership for assistance regarding the outbreak caused the Navy to lose confidence in his command.

Find out what's happening in San Diegofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

In his letter, Crozier asked the Navy to immediately assist in removing the majority of the crew off the ship. Modly said the letter's publication in the San Francisco Chronicle was the result of Crozier copying the emailed letter to numerous unauthorized parties.

Modly resigned less than a week after firing Crozier, when he lambasted Crozier's actions in a speech to the ship's crew, which later found its way online.

As of Tuesday, the ship had 940 active COVID-19 cases, with 29 sailors recovered. The Navy says the USS Theodore Roosevelt's cases are not being counted as recovered until sailors receive two successive negative tests.

Efforts are underway to re-man the ship, according to the Navy.

Also see:

— City News Service

More from San Diego