Saturday, September 28, 2013

Deputy Chief At StratCom Suspended

Omaha World-Herald
September 28, 2013


By Steve Liewer, World-Herald Staff Writer
Vice Adm. Tim Giardina has been suspended as deputy commander of the Bellevue-based U.S. Strategic Command, StratCom officials confirmed Friday.
StratCom's commander, Gen. C. Robert Kehler, suspended Giardina in early September from all duties that include oversight of nuclear materials or nuclear issues, or that require a security clearance, said Capt. Pamela Kunze, a StratCom spokeswoman.
She said Kehler also recommended that Giardina be reassigned to another command.
Kunze said the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is conducting an investigation, but she declined to describe what it is about.
Giardina, 56, joined StratCom in December 2011, after a tour as deputy commander and chief of staff at the U.S. Pacific Fleet command in Honolulu.
A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Giardina became a career submarine officer. He commanded the attack sub USS Kentucky and was executive officer aboard the USS Hyman G. Rickover. He later commanded the entire fleet of 18 Trident ballistic-missile submarines.
He also was chief of staff of the Japan-based 7th Fleet and a joint task force supporting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Giardina had been scheduled to leave StratCom later this year. In July, President Barack Obama nominated Lt. Gen. James Kowalski to replace Giardina. Kowalski currently leads the Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., where he oversees the nation's Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable B-2 and B-52 bombers.

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