Navy
USS Whirlwind commander relieved
Stars and Stripes
November 20, 2015
Coastal patrol ship USS Whirlwind ( Courtesy of the U.S. Navy)
MANAMA, Bahrain — The commander of the USS Whirlwind, Lt. Cmdr. Bethany Busch, was relieved of her duties Thursday due to a loss of confidence in her ability to command, the Navy said.
Lt. Cmdr. Scott Whitworth, the squadron’s operations officer, has temporarily assumed command of the coastal patrol ship based at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain, home to the 5th Fleet, until the prospective commander arrives next month.
Busch was relieved by Cmdr. Jake Douglas, commander of Patrol Squadron One.
Busch has been reassigned to the commander of Task Force Five Six in Bahrain, the Navy said.
The Navy could not provide further details while the investigation is underway, said Lt. Cmdr. Myers Vasquez, spokesman for Naval Surface Force, Atlantic.
Coastal patrol ships based in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility are tasked with escorting other ships, providing maritime security, protecting infrastructure and frequently participating in exercises with regional allies.