U.S. Navy Fires Entire Leadership Team at Yokosuka Ship Repair Facility
On June 3-4, 2026, the U.S. Navy relieved the entire leadership trio—Capt. Wendel Penetrante, Capt. Edwin Catubig, and Master Chief Thomas Dean Howell—of the Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center in Yokosuka, Japan, citing a "loss of confidence." No specific reason was given, though such collective firings are rare. Temporary replacements were appointed, and the Navy stated the mission remains unaffected.
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Navy Fires Leadership Trio of Ship Repair Facility in Japan
The U.S. Navy relieved three top leaders at the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center on June 4, 2026, citing a loss of confidence in their ability to command. Rear Adm. Dan Lannamann dismissed Capt. Wendel Penetrante (commanding officer), Capt. Edwin Catubig (executive officer), and Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Howell (command master chief). The Navy did not specify the reason for the firings, using the standard phrase 'loss of confidence.' The service stated there is no impact to the command's mission. Temporary replacements were assigned: Capt. John Bauer as commanding officer, Cmdr. David Reinhardt as executive officer, and Master Chief Petty Officer David Marcus as command master chief. The article notes a similar firing occurred in February 2026 involving the commanding officer of the destroyer USS Mason.
Navy TimesNavy Fires Leadership Trio of Ship Repair Facility in Japan
The U.S. Navy fired the commanding officer, executive officer, and command master chief of the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center on June 4, 2026, due to a loss of confidence in their ability to command. Rear Adm. Dan Lannamann, who commands the Navy Regional Maintenance Center, made the decision. The Navy did not specify the reason for the firings, using the standard phrase 'loss of confidence.' Capt. John Bauer temporarily assumed command, with Cmdr. David Reinhardt as interim executive officer and Master Chief Petty Officer David Marcus as interim command master chief. The Navy stated there is no impact to the command's mission. This follows a similar firing of the commanding officer of the destroyer USS Mason in February 2026.
Navy TimesNavy Fires Leadership Trio of Ship Repair Facility in Japan
The U.S. Navy relieved three top leaders at the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center on June 4, 2026, citing a loss of confidence in their ability to command. Rear Adm. Dan Lannamann dismissed Capt. Wendel Penetrante (commanding officer), Capt. Edwin Catubig (executive officer), and Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Howell (command master chief). The Navy did not provide specific reasons for the firings, using the standard phrase 'loss of confidence.' Temporary replacements were appointed: Capt. John Bauer as commanding officer, Cmdr. David Reinhardt as executive officer, and Master Chief Petty Officer David Marcus as command master chief. The Navy stated there is no impact to the command's mission. This follows a similar firing of the USS Mason's commanding officer in February 2026.
Navy TimesNavy Fires Leadership Trio of Ship Repair Facility in Japan
The U.S. Navy relieved the commanding officer, executive officer, and command master chief of the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center on June 4, 2026, citing a loss of confidence in their ability to command. Rear Adm. Dan Lannamann made the decision, but the service did not specify the reasons for the firings. The Navy stated there is no impact to the command's mission. Interim replacements were appointed: Capt. John Bauer as commanding officer, Cmdr. David Reinhardt as executive officer, and Master Chief Petty Officer David Marcus as command master chief. This follows a similar firing in February 2026 of the USS Mason's commanding officer.
Military TimesU.S. Navy Fires Three Top Leaders at Ship Repair Facility in Japan
The U.S. Navy relieved three senior leaders at the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center on June 4, 2026, citing a loss of confidence in their ability to command. Rear Adm. Dan Lannamann dismissed Capt. Wendel Penetrante (commanding officer), Capt. Edwin Catubig (executive officer), and Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Howell (command master chief). The Navy did not specify the reason for the firings, using the standard phrase 'loss of confidence.' Temporary replacements were appointed: Capt. John Bauer as commanding officer, Cmdr. David Reinhardt as executive officer, and Master Chief Petty Officer David Marcus as command master chief. The Navy stated there is no impact to the command's mission. This follows a similar firing of the USS Mason's commanding officer in February 2026.
Military TimesU.S. Navy Fires Three Top Leaders at Ship Repair Facility in Japan
The U.S. Navy relieved the commanding officer, executive officer, and command master chief of the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center on June 4, 2026. Rear Adm. Dan Lannamann, commander of the Navy Regional Maintenance Center, dismissed Capt. Wendel Penetrante, Capt. Edwin Catubig, and Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Howell due to a loss of confidence in their ability to command. The Navy did not specify the reasons for the firings, using the standard 'loss of confidence' phrasing. The service stated there is no impact to the command's mission. Temporary replacements were assigned: Capt. John Bauer as commanding officer, Cmdr. David Reinhardt as executive officer, and Master Chief Petty Officer David Marcus as command master chief. This follows a similar firing of the USS Mason's commanding officer in February 2026.
Military TimesNavy Fires Entire Leadership Team of Ship Repair Facility in Japan
The U.S. Navy relieved the entire leadership team of its ship repair facility in Yokosuka, Japan, on June 3, 2026. Capt. Wendel Penetrante (commanding officer), Capt. Edwin Catubig (executive officer), and Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Dean Howell (command master chief) were all removed from their positions at the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center, which supports the 7th Fleet. The Navy cited a 'loss of confidence in their ability to command' but provided no specific reason, a common euphemism for various work or personal issues. The collective firing is considered rare, especially given that a May 12 Navy release had praised the facility for returning seven ships to the fleet on time or ahead of schedule. The officers had extensive prior service on submarines, aircraft carriers, and amphibious ships.
Task & PurposeEntire leadership team of US Navy maintenance depot in Japan fired
The commanding officer, executive officer, and senior enlisted leader of the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center in Yokosuka, Japan, were relieved of their duties on June 3, 2026. Capt. Wendel Penetrante, Capt. Edwin Catubig, and Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Dean Howell were fired due to a 'loss of confidence in their ability to command,' according to a Navy news release. No specific reason for the firings was provided, which is common for such military personnel actions. The facility provides intermediate-level and depot-level repair for Navy ships and the U.S. 7th Fleet. The relief of an entire leadership team is considered relatively rare. The story is developing, and more information may be released later.
Task & PurposeNavy Fires Entire Leadership Team of Ship Repair Facility in Japan
The U.S. Navy relieved the entire leadership team of its ship repair facility in Yokosuka, Japan, on June 3, 2026. Capt. Wendel Penetrante (commanding officer), Capt. Edwin Catubig (executive officer), and Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Dean Howell (command master chief) were all fired due to a 'loss of confidence in their ability to command.' No specific reason was provided, a common practice for such military firings. The trio led the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center, which provides intermediate and depot-level repairs for Navy ships and the 7th Fleet. The relief of an entire command triad is relatively rare. Just weeks earlier, on May 12, the facility was publicly praised for returning seven warships to the 7th Fleet on time or ahead of schedule. Penetrante had assumed command in February 2025.
Task & Purpose