Okinawa tiltrotor squadron commander fired

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An MV-22 Osprey of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 lands on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Janweb B. Lagazo)

The commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, based out of Okinawa, Japan, was relieved of command Jan. 26, Marine Corps officials have confirmed.

Lt. Col. Bryan Swenson was fired by Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, the commanding officer of the 1st Marine Air Wing.

Marine spokeswoman 1st Lt. Karoline Foote told Marine Corps Times Wednesday that Swenson was removed “due to loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead his command.”

Marine officials have provided no other details about the squadron commander’s removal.

“Major Christopher Denver, executive officer for VMM-265 (Reinforced) has been assigned as interim Commanding Officer,” Foote said in an email to Marine Corps Times.

VMM-265 was involved in a deadly MV-22B Osprey crash in August 2017 off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The crash killed three Marines, and the cause of it is still under investigation.

Following the deadly incident, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert B. Neller suspended all Marine air operations for 24 hours.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as Marine Corps Times learns more.

About 

Shawn Snow is the senior reporter for Marine Corps Times and a Marine Corps veteran.