Poor job performance cost the skipper of an EA-18G Growler squadron his job on Wednesday.
Cmdr. Aaron Tabor was removed from his job commanding Electronic Attack Squadron 138 by Capt. Scott Farr, the leader of Electronic Attack Wing Pacific, relieving Tabor after a loss of confidence in his abilities.
"The standards of professional performance for our commanding officers is high and when a CO fails to meet those standards, they are removed from command," said Cmdr. Jeanette Groeneveld, spokeswoman for the Naval Air Forces.
Tabor had been with the Whidbey Island, Washington-based VAQ-138 Yellow Jackets starting as executive officer in October 2014 and then assumed command in December 2015.
Sources familiar with the relief say there was no misconduct involved and that Tabor faces no further disciplinary or administrative action. He has been reassigned to Electronic Attack Wing Pacific. Tabor could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday.
Cmdr. Chase Dale has assumed command of VAQ-138. Dale recently completed a successful command of VAQ-140 and will remain in command until next spring when Cmdr. Todd Ladwig, the command's current executive officer is slated to fleet up as CO.
A native of Windham, Maine, Tabor received his commission through Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Maine and was commissioned in 1998. He earned his designation as a naval flight officer in April 2000, according to his biography.
Tabor has over 1,800 flight hours in both the EA-6B Prowler and the EA-18G Growler, including 94 combat missions. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal — 2 awards, Three Navy Commendation Medals the Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal, the two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals.
Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.
