China Truth Teller Removed from Office

News today from the Navy Times that Captain Fanell, Director if Intelligence and Information Operations at the Navy's Pacific Fleet Headquarters, has been removed from his job and re-assigned.  Citing Fanell's "privacy concerns", PACFLT has will not comment publicly.  From the piece in Navy Times;

"The reasons for Fanell's firing remain cloudy, but two sources said the relief stems from alleged mishandling of classified information and fostering a negative command climate.Capt. Darryn James, top spokesman for PACFLT, declined to say whether Fanell's relief was related to his controversial views, citing privacy concerns."

I wrote about Fanell elsewhere shortly after the kerfuffle began.  That story is here.

Perhaps Captain Fanell did indeed mishandle classified information.  Perhaps Captain Fanell did indeed create a negative command climate.  Perhaps his removal for these incidents was warranted.

But perhaps he was removed because he stirred up too much heat by telling the truth in public about China's behavior, and that truth is inconvenient to an Administration, DoD, CJCS, Navy Department and CNO who together have assiduously attempted to downplay the threat of an increasingly aggressive China.

Perhaps the truth about Fanell's firing will come out.  It looks awfully suspicious right now.