Capt. Owen Honors, the U.S. Navy officer who commanded the USS Enterprise and produced several controversial — and often anti-gay — videos while second in command aboard the aircraft carrier, has been permanently relieved of his command.
In a statement released today, Admiral John C. Harvey Jr., Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command (USFFC), has permanently relieved Honors of his duties as commanding officer of the Enterprise for demonstrating “poor judgment” while serving as an executive officer.
“The responsibility of the Commanding Officer for his or her command is absolute.
“While Capt. Honors’ performance as commanding officer of USS Enterprise has been without incident, his profound lack of good judgment and professionalism while previously serving as executive officer on Enterprise calls into question his character and completely undermines his credibility to continue to serve effectively in command.
“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. This responsibility is so important that it is written into Navy Regulations. When confidence and trust are lost in those who lead, we fail.
“After personally reviewing the videos created while serving as executive officer, 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 in the videos that were created while he served as executive officer on Enterprise.
“It is fact that as naval officers we are held to a higher standard. Those in command must exemplify the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment which we expect our Sailors to follow. Our leaders must be above reproach and our Sailors deserve nothing less.”
– Admiral John C. Harvey Jr.
The relief of Capt. Honors occurs as the investigation continues into the inappropriate videos that Honors made while serving as Enterprise’s executive officer from 2006-2007.
The investigation is expected to continue, and will examine aspects of the production of the videos, other senior officers who knew of the videos, and the actions they took in response.
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Honors has been reassigned to administrative duties at Naval Air Forces Atlantic and will be replaced by Capt. Dee Mewbourne.
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