US officer in Bahrain fired for misconduct

After earlier trouble, more trouble with United States Navy officers at their Bahrain base.

From the Navy Times in the USA:

Bahrain logistics CO is 19th fired this year

By Sam Fellman – Staff writer

Posted : Monday Oct 17, 2011 15:48:14 EDT

The commanding officer of a Bahrain-based logistics task force was fired for alleged misconduct, 5th Fleet announced Monday.

Capt. David Geisler was relieved by Vice Adm. Mark Fox, 5th Fleet commander, “for a loss of confidence” in Geisler’s ability to command, 5th Fleet said in a press release that added: “an investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct continues.”

The nature of the investigation and the allegations against Geisler remain unclear.

When asked to characterize the alleged misconduct, 5th Fleet spokesman Lt. Frederick Martin replied: “That’s part of the investigation, and it won’t be releasable until the investigation is completed.”

Martin could not immediately say when the investigation began or who was conducting it.

Geisler, a surface warfare officer, had commanded Task Force 53 since January. Geisler also served as head of Military Sealift Command Central, one of MSC’s five operational commands worldwide. In both roles, Geisler oversaw the delivery, by air and sea, of personnel, food, cargo, fuel, ammunition and mail to ships and commands in 5th Fleet, according to a press release from his change of command in January.

Geisler is the 19th commanding officer fired in 2011.

Geisler has been reassigned to duties at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. The No. 2 at CTF 53, Capt. Jesus Cantu, has taken command until a permanent replacement is named.

Geisler, a native of Kokomo, Ind., is a 1988 graduate of the University of Rochester. Geisler commanded frigate John L. Hall, taking it on a counter-drug deployment and also leading it through an “emergency homeport shift” to Mayport, Fla., after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to his official bio. Over his career, he has earned two Defense Meritorious Service Medals and three Meritorious Service Medals, in addition to other personal awards.

Geisler could not immediately be reached for comment.

From the United States armed forces publication Stars and Stripes:

Geisler, a 1988 graduate of the University of Rochester in New York, was assigned to Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, where he directed planning support for Afghanistan and Haiti, before assuming command of CTF 53, according to a Navy release.

With $53 million arms sale, U.S condones ongoing repression of Bahraini people: here.

ITUC: Bahrain: Repression against Workers and Attacks against Trade Union Rights Are Still Going On: here.

Downing Street welcome for Bahrain’s brutal dictator: here.