The hospital ship Comfort is departing Norfolk Wednesday — but will leave without its longtime senior medical officer.
Capt. Rachel Haltner, 50, the commanding officer of the ship's medical treatment facility, was fired Monday amid "an investigation into the command climate," Military Sealift Command said in a Monday release.
The release did not provide specifics about the command's issues that may have led to her relief.
Rear Adm. Thomas Shannon, the MSC boss, ilitary Sealift Command, removed Haltner after a loss of confidence in her leadership. Capt. Miguel Cubano, the MTF's executive officer, is the acting CO until the permanent CO, Capt. Christine Sears, arrives.
Capt. Rachel Haltner takes Rear Adm. George W. Ballance on a tour of the USNS Comfort in February. The ship is to deploy Wednesday to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as medical, dental, veterinary and engineering support to Central and South America.
Photo Credit: MCSN Deven Leigh Ellis/Navy
One crewmember, who did not provide his or her name, alleged Haltner "has made life onboard the ship unbearable," in a February letter to Navy Times. "She belittles her officers and chiefs and creates an atmosphere where no one feels safe to go against her word. Even when she is wrong, people are afraid to speak up."
A previous CO of Comfort's MRF was removed for poor command climate in 2013.
Halter did not immediately respond to a call and email seeking comment Monday. She has been reassigned to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.
NORFOLK (NNS) -- Commander, Military Sealift Command, Rear Adm. Thomas K. Shannon, relieved Capt. Rachel Haltner of her duties as commanding officer, Medical Treatment Facility (MTF), USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), March 30.
Shannon cited a loss of confidence in Haltner's ability to command as the reason for her relief pending completion of an investigation into the command climate.
Capt. Miguel Cubano, executive officer of Comfort's MTF, temporarily assumed command pending the arrival of Capt. Christine Sears, fleet surgeon for the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/ U.S. 4th Fleet, who will assume permanent command of the MTF.
Haltner, who assumed command of the MTF Aug. 27, 2013, has been temporarily reassigned to Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth.
