Navy fires commander of Virginia Beach-based Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic

The commanding officer of Virginia Beach-based Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic was ousted last week by the Navy.

Capt. Paul Choate was relieved of his role Aug. 31 “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command,” the Navy announced Wednesday. The command at Naval Air Station Oceana is responsible for depot-level maintenance on aircraft and aviation-related equipment across the Navy’s fleet.

“Navy commanding officers are held to high standards of personal and professional conduct. They are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability and leadership, and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall short of those standards,” the service said in the announcement.

Capt. Richard Foster, executive officer of Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic, has taken the helm. Foster was scheduled to assume command in December.