Capt. James Spitler, left, and Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Dioquino were temporarily relieved of command on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, as the commander and senior enlisted leader of Coast Guard Sector San Diego after an investigation into reports that they had treated subordinates unfairly. (U.S. Coast Guard)
The Coast Guard temporarily relieved the commander and senior enlisted leader of Coast Guard Sector San Diego in the wake of an investigation that led to loss of confidence in both men, the service said Friday.
Capt. James Spitler and Master Chief Petty Officer Michael Dioquino were relieved by Rear Adm. Joseph Buzzella, commander of the Coast Guard’s District Eleven, according to a news release.
The investigation was sparked by reports of unfair treatment of individuals under their command, said Lt. SondraKay Kneen, a spokeswoman for District Eleven. No further details were available, she said.
The men are temporarily relieved pending their option to appeal the decision, Kneen said.
“The Coast Guard cannot accomplish our missions without the respect and trust of each member,” Buzzella said in a prepared statement. “A safe and professional environment for each member is crucial to the success of our service and we will not tolerate behavior that goes against our core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty.”
Capt. Patrick Dill, chief of incident management for District Eleven, is temporarily commanding Sector San Diego, the service said.
Sector San Diego is responsible for about 120 miles of California coastline, 750 miles of the Colorado River, and the U.S.-Mexico southwest maritime border.
The Coast Guard sector “remains fully operational in all mission areas and there is no impact to public safety,” the service said.
Spitler assumed command of Sector San Diego in July 2022, according to his official biography. That position is the senior Coast Guard officer in the Southwest region of the United States.
Prior to this position, Spitler served at U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., according to his biography.
Spitler has flown helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft during his career. As commanding officer of Air Station Houston, Texas, from 2017 to 2019, he was responsible for the Coast Guard’s aviation response during Hurricane Harvey.
Dioquino enlisted in California in 1995, according to his official biography.
Prior to Sector San Diego, Dioquino carried out special assignments as a regional supervisor at Coast Guard Recruiting Command in Washington, D.C.
