Image for representation purposes only The commanding officer, executive officer and senior enlisted leader of the U.S. Navy ship repair facility in Yokosuka, Japan, were relieved from their duties, a Navy release said. Capt. Wendel Penetrante, Capt. Edwin Catubig and Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Dean Howell served as commanding officer, executive officer, and command master chief of a U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Centre. The facility provides intermediate-level and depot-level repair for Navy ships and the U.S. 7th Fleet. The U.S Navy did not provide the exact reason, but mentioned they were fired “due to a loss of confidence in their ability to command”. Military services usually do not provide the exact cause of such firings; this one has garnered the attention of many military analysts and experts, as relieving an entire leadership team is rare. It is suspicious because a May 12 release appreciated the repair facility for delivering 7 ships, including 2 mine countermeasures ships, 3 destroyers, and an amphibious transport dock, to the 7th Fleet this year on time or ahead of schedule. Captain Penetrante took over the command of the facility in February 2025. He became an engineering duty officer in 2012 after serving on submarines and an aircraft carrier. Catubig was an enlisted sailor before being commissioned in 2003, after which he served on amphibious warfare vessels and an aircraft carrier. Howell enlisted in 2001 and has served on destroyers and an amphibious assault ship.