Navy
Navy relieves commander of E-2 Hawkeye squadron from duties for loss of confidence
Stars and Stripes
November 24, 2024
Cmdr. Charles Diehl has been relieved of his duties as commander of Airborne Command and Control Squadron VAW-115 because of a loss of confidence in his ability to lead, the Navy said in a news release. (U.S. Navy)
Cmdr. Charles Diehl has been relieved of his duties as commander of Airborne Command and Control Squadron VAW-115 because of a loss of confidence in his ability to lead, the Navy said in a news release Friday.
VAW-115 is an E-2 Hawkeye squadron attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 based at Point Mugu, Calif.
Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander replaced Diehl with Cmdr. Randall Fields, the former commanding officer of VAW-116.
The U.S. military routinely cites only a vague “loss of confidence” when removing commanders and other leaders from authority positions.
“The Navy maintains the highest standards for commanding officers and holds them accountable when those standards are not met,” according to the statement.
Diehl, who assumed command of VAW-115 in May, is a graduate of the University of Maryland, according to his Navy bio.
He was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in January 2006 and reported to NAS Pensacola, Fla., for flight training. He was selected for the E-2 Hawkeye training pipeline and reported to VAW-120 “Greyhawks” for initial qualification training, earning his Naval Flight Officer Wings in June 2008.
Diehl has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours in 12 aircraft, his bio says. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (3 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards) and various campaign and service awards.
Earlier this month, the Navy announced the firing of the commanding officer of the Naval Information Warfare Training Group in San Diego, and the commanding officer of the San Diego division of the Navy Leadership and Ethics Center.