The commanding officer in charge of the Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe has been relieved of his duties. According to Hawaii News Now, the announcement came around 9:15 p.m. on Monday evening.
The decision was made due to a supposed “loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead his command.”
Colonel Eric W. Schaefer had been the commanding officer since August 2014 and has been since reassigned.
Col Schaefer was previously the commanding officer of VMA-214, whose nickname is “Blacksheep”, which is ironic because they were awarded the Marine Aviation Attack Squadron of the Year for 2009. They earned this award for achievements during combat operations in Helmand province Afghanistan and for actions while serving as the Marine Site Command in Kandahar.
According to his Bio, “Colonel Schaefer has over 2000 military flight hours. His awards include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Individual Air Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, Strike Flight Air Medal with Numeral 6, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and several Unit Awards and Expeditionary Medals.
Col. Christopher B. Snyder, the deputy commander of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, has been assigned as the interim commanding officer of MCBH.
