Fire on carrier is tied to smoking
Smoking appears to have been the cause of a fire that caused $70 million in damage to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington, naval officials said Wednesday.
The announcement came as Adm. Robert F. Willard, commander of the Pacific Fleet, relieved the carrier’s commanding officer and the executive officer of duty.
The carrier was en route from Chile to San Diego when the fire began May 22. The safety of the nuclear reactor wasn’t threatened, the Navy said. Thirty-six sailors were treated for minor injuries and one sailor suffered minor burns.
Capt. J.R. Haley, who previously commanded the nuclear-powered carrier Theodore Roosevelt, has taken command of the carrier, replacing Capt. David C. Dykhoff.
Capt. Karl O. Thomas has replaced the carrier’s executive officer, Capt. David M. Dober. Dykhoff and Dober have been temporarily assigned to shore duty with the Pacific Fleet, Walker said.
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