NAS Whidbey squadron commander relieved of duty after alleged drunk driving incident

The commanding officer of an electronic attack squadron based at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station was relieved of command after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, the Navy reported.

Cmdr. Timothy Murphy was commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron 129, or VAQ-129, until Monday, April 11. Murphy was relieved of command by Capt. Christopher Shay, the commander of Electronic Attack Wing Pacific, due to a loss of confidence in Murphy’s ability to command, a Navy press release states.

Murphy was arrested on suspicion of DUI early Sunday morning in Anacortes.

Capt. John P. Springett, deputy commander of Electronic Attack Wing Pacific, has assumed command of VAQ-129 until a permanent replacement is identified.

VAQ-129 is the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler.

According to his Navy biography, Murphy has had a long and successful career to this point as a leader and Prowler pilot.

He accumulated more than 3,400 flight hours and 680 carrier landings, primarily in the Prowler. His awards include the Bronze Star   Meritorious Service Medal, five Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

 

“The responsibility of officers in command for their units, their sailors and their mission is absolute; we take their performance very seriously.  Our standards of conduct and performance for commanding officers are extremely high,” Lt. Aaron Kakiel, assistant public affairs officer with Naval Air Forces, wrote in a press release.

 

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