Carrier Air Wing Officer Relieved After 'Liberty Incident'

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Capt. Brent Blackmer. Navy photo
Capt. Brent Blackmer. Navy photo

The deputy commander of the Navy's Carrier Air Wing One (CVW1) was relieved of his duties earlier this month after he acted in an unprofessional manner while on leave, officials said.

Rear Adm. Gene Black, commander of Carrier Strike Group Eight, relieved Capt. Brent Blackmer based on his conduct "during a liberty incident that occurred on Feb. 1 in Norfolk," said Cmdr. Dave Hecht, public affairs officer for Naval Air Force Atlantic.

The incident was first reported Wednesday by Navy Times.

Without specifying the conduct, Hecht said a recent investigation found that "Blackmer's actions reflected poor judgment, and failed to meet and uphold personal and professional standards."

"Command triad members are entrusted to uphold the highest standards of personal and professional conduct at all times," Hecht told Military.com in a statement Thursday. "Meeting these high standards of conduct is as critical as meeting our high standards of material, personnel and operational readiness."

"The incident was promptly and thoroughly investigated, and the officer involved was held responsible for his actions," Hecht said.

After his service at AIRLANT concludes, the Navy said it is unclear what Blackmer's future career holds.

Capt. Robert Gentry, who had already been scheduled to become the deputy commander of CVW1, will replace Blackmer three months early.

CVW1, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, is currently assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

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