US Navy relieves commander of coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier

Over 100 personnel on the ship have tested positive for the coronavirus so far

WASHINGTON: The US Navy on Thursday relieved the commander of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, who wrote a scathing letter that leaked to the public asking the Navy for stronger measures to control a coronavirus outbreak onboard the ship.

The removal of Captain Brett Crozier from the command of the 5,000-person vessel, which was first reported by Reuters, was announced by acting US Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, who said the commander exercised poor judgment.



Modly said the letter was sent through the chain of command but Crozier did not safeguard it from being released outside the chain.

“It raised alarm bells unnecessarily,” Modly said.

In the four-page letter, Crozier described a bleak situation aboard the nuclear-powered carrier as more sailors tested positive for the highly contagious respiratory virus.