SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The commander of a landing team that suffered a training accident that left nine servicemen dead, including a young Marine from Bellingham, has been relieved of duty.
The commanding general of 1st Marine Expeditionary Force removed Lt. Colonel Michael Regner of his command on Tuesday.
The Times of San Diego reports he cited “loss of trust and confidence” in Regner’s ability to command following the sinking of an amphibious troop transport vehicle near California’s San Clemente Island on July 30th.
Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrofsky of Bellingham was among the eight Marines and one Sailor who were killed.
The Marine Corps says an official cause of the accident hasn’t been determined but enough information has come forward to relieve Regner.