3 Navy Officers Relieved of Duty Over Jet Parts
Three officers at Lemoore Naval Air Station in the Central Valley have been relieved of their duties because of maintenance problems with F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.
Capt. Zachary May was removed from his command of a dozen Hornet squadrons last week, said a Navy spokesman.
May, 50, a 26-year veteran, said he will retire but also appeal the decision to restore his reputation. Two lower-level officers are awaiting reassignment.
A review in August revealed that Lemoore jets had problems with undocumented spare parts, unauthorized stockpiling of parts and the unapproved use of other aircraft for spare parts, said Cmdr. Jack Papp.
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