Commanding officer of Everett-based Momsen relieved of duty

EVERETT — The commanding officer of the Everett-based guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen was relieved of duty Wednesday while the Navy investigates charges of misconduct.

Cmdr. Jay Wylie was relieved because of “loss of confidence in his ability to command,” the San Diego-based Third Fleet Command said in a press release. The disciplinary action stemmed from allegations of misconduct, though no details were available from the Navy.

Wylie, 40, had commanded the Momsen since July. The Momsen returned this spring from a seven-month deployment during which the ship’s crew interrupted a pirate attack on a merchant ship in the Gulf of Oman. The Momsen later sank both of the pirates’ skiffs.

Wylie, a native of Glendale, Calif., previously served as the joint training officer and fleet training coordinator for the Third Fleet.

Rear Adm. Mark Guadagnini, commander of Carrier Strike Group 9, placed the deputy commander of Destroyer Squadron 9, Capt. Mark Johnson, in charge of the Momsen until a replacement is named, Navy officials said.

An investigation into the allegations is ongoing, so the Navy won’t release any additional information, said Third Fleet public affairs spokeswoman Lt. j.g. Beth Teach.

Wylie has been reassigned to the Pacific Naval Surface Forces in San Diego pending the results of the investigation.

“The Navy takes a position of command very seriously. These people are in positions of trust and responsibility and play a key role in the morale of their command,” Teach said.

“Any misconduct or situation that adversely effects this climate is subject to scrutiny by Navy leadership.”

Wylie is the second Navy officer removed from a command in less than a week.

Capt. Donald Hornbeck, commander of Destroyer Squadron 1 in the Arabian Sea, was removed Saturday while the Navy investigates allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship.

Two weeks ago, Cmdr. Timothy F. Murphy, the commander of a training squadron for electrical warfare aircraft at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Oak Harbor, was relieved of duty following a drunken driving stop in Anacortes.

“Every one of these cases is individual and unrelated,” Teach said.

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.