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CRAIG T. KOJIMA / JUNE 2015
The Navy said Rear Adm. Rick Williams was relieved of his duties by Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander of the U.S. Third Fleet in San Diego.
A rear admiral who used to be in charge of Navy Region Hawaii was removed Friday from his new job as commander of Carrier Strike Group 15 based on initial findings of an ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of government computer equipment, the Navy said.
The Navy said Rear Adm. Rick Williams was relieved of his duties by Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander of the U.S. Third Fleet in San Diego.
Navy Times reported that Williams was removed following allegations he used his government computer to access pornography. The access was extensive enough to rule out accidental viewing, Navy Times said.
Asked about the allegation, Rear Adm. Dawn Cutler, the Navy’s chief spokeswoman, said today that “I can tell you it was not classified information.”
The military monitors government computer use for suspicious activity.
Williams, a native of Pittsford, N.Y., commanded Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific from 2013 through part of 2015. He assumed command of Carrier Strike Group 15 in July and was based in San Diego.
Williams was reassigned to the Third Fleet staff as a formal investigation continues. The Navy said enough information had come out in the initial phase to cause Tyson to take the action she did.
Carrier Strike Group 15’s mission is to train U.S. Pacific Fleet carrier strike groups, amphibious ready groups, and independently deploying surface ships prior to deployment.
Williams, who was a high-profile commander during his time in Hawaii, commanded the frigate USS McInerney from 2002 through 2004, earning the Battle “E” for excellence and the Department of Homeland Security Golden Eagle Award for successful counter-narcotic and maritime interdiction operations, according to his Navy biography.
Major command assignments included commanding Destroyer Squadron 26, and leading maritime security task groups in the Arabian Gulf from 2006 through 2008. Williams had a command role in directing maritime operations from 2008 to 2009 in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, his biography said.
A change of command was held June 26 at Pearl Harbor with Williams turning over command of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific to Rear Adm. John Fuller.
It a common place trap at work when management wants to replace you. Don’t fall for it. Stay away. Run. Don’t just walk away.
Right on.
He is management.
Naught, naught! Just don’t do it at work. Otherwise, who cares.
My thought exactly. It wasn’t child pornography. Just do it at home. Although how many people look at the internet and order from Amazon on work computers?
sooo true and do job searching or posting on here for example…
In most private or government establishments, as long as you aren’t doing it on company time, that is, it’s on your allowed morning, afternoon or lunch break, it shouldn’t be a big deal. Viewing or downloading porn of ANY stripe at ANY time is still generally a no-no however (unless you just happen to be the IT guru at your workplace). As in all policies, it’s up to you to learn what’s allowed – don’t just follow your supervisor’s or boss’ example.
STUPD SQUID!
This is the individual who handed me my thirty years of service certificate when I retired last year. His name is on the certificate. I find this extremely entertaining.
In retrospect, I wish I had washed my hands after shaking his, clearly, since he signed my certificate, I have some shredding to do.
He’s a guy for God’s sake. This is what really he-men do to relieve stress. Don’t you higher ups have something better to do. I think they must be hypocrites. What’s next? What did you do to relieve stress when you were in high school?
As long as it wasn’t gay porn….
Be sure to retire happy. Otherwise, the stress will eat you up.
There’s a 10-15% chance it was, maybe that’s why they chose to publicly embarrass him while ending his career at the same time.
Racoon, that kind of stuff is indeed perfectly normal for high school guys. It’s is NOT normal for a grown man to get off viewing porn. I enjoyed looking at Playboy magazines form ages 14 to 16. I then moved up to adult movies at the old Kaimuki theater from ages 16 to 24. They NEVER once asked me to show ID. That stuff no longer worked for me after that age, I only wanted real action in bed.
PinkSushi. You don’t even know how to lie. Nobody will believe you.
I don’t, not for one minute.
Wow, I hope it was abit more than just watching some porn on his office computer. If Navy Brass applied this rule across the board, there may not be anyone left to sail the ships.
I think it’s more likely someone in power doesn’t like him, at all! There’s a more dignified way to release senior military officers from the service when they’re no longer needed.
Tailhook…I think the Navy has to be sensitive to situations like this.