Pakistan Flooding News

SAN DIEGO - The Navy has fired the commander of a San Diego-based ship for inappropriate behaviour considered unduly familiar toward crew members, a spokesman said Monday.

The Navy said it was investigating but would not elaborate on the allegations against Capt. David Schnell, who had been the commander of the Peleliu, a ship with 19 helicopters shuttling supplies to flood-devastated Pakistan.

Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Chris Servello said he cannot provide any more details about the firing because of privacy concerns. He also declined to say how many crew members were involved.

Servello said Schnell had left the ship and was in the Middle East and would be travelling back to San Diego, where he would work in a Naval office doing administrative work.

Schnell could not be reached for comment. The Navy said it doesn't provide the media with emails or telephone numbers for service members.

Schnell was replaced by Capt. Mark E. Cedrun, who will continue the ship's Pakistan mission.