By: Shaun Waterman
The Washington Times
The captain of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise has been removed from his command because of videos he made several years ago containing foul language, sexual innuendo and anti-gay slurs.
A statement from U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Va., said Tuesday that Capt. Owen P. Honors, 49, had been permanently relieved of his command of the Enterprise and assigned to administrative duties “for demonstrating poor judgment.”
The statement said the Navy would continue its investigation into what it called the “inappropriate videos” that Capt. Honors made while serving as the ship’s executive officer, or second in command, in 2006 and 2007. It said the investigation will “include the actions of other senior officers who knew of the videos and the actions they took in response.”
Capt. Honors’ “profound lack of good judgment and professionalism . calls into question his character and completely undermines his credibility to continue to serve effectively in command,” U.S. Fleet Command chief Adm. John C. Harvey Jr. said in the statement.
“The foundation of our success in the Navy lies in our ability to gain and hold the trust of our sailors, including through personal example. . After personally reviewing the videos . I have lost confidence in Capt. Honors’ ability to lead effectively, and he is being held accountable for poor judgment and the inappropriate actions demonstrated.”
Some former colleagues have defended Capt. Honors, saying the videos were intended to be humorous and praising his qualities as an officer.
