The Navy has removed Cmdr. Allen Maestas as executive officer of the San Diego-based Beachmaster Unit 1 because of "inappropriate" texts and emails sent to two women in his command.
According to a news release from U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs, the Commander of Naval Beach Group 1, Capt. Kevin Flanagan, relieved Maestas of his position on Thursday.
SURFPAC spokesman Lt. Rick Chernitzer told the Navy Times the emails and texts sent by Maestas were:
“...inappropriate and unprofessional and did not respect the senior-subordinate relationship."
The operations officer of Beachmaster Unit 1, Lt. Cmdr. Geoffrey Belanger, will serve as acting executive officer until a permanent replacement arrives in June.
Meanwhile, Maestas has been temporarily reassigned to the staff of Naval Beach Group 1.
The Navy Times reports that Maestas is the sixth Naval executive officer fired this year.
