Navy axes Asia chief

THE COMMANDER of the Navy fleet that has suffered deady crashes in Asia will be relieved of duty on Wednesday, according to a report.

Seventh Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin (photo) was already expected to retire within a matter of weeks, two officials familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal.

Aucoin’s dismissal comes days after 10 sailors aboard the John S. McCain went missing after it collided with an oil tanker on Monday.

The remains of some of those crew members were discovered by divers in a flooded compartment of the destroyer, which was damaged on its way to Singapore. The tanker ripped a large hole in the rear left side of the ship, which is based in Yokosuka, Japan.

“It’s premature to say how many and what the status of those bodies is,” said Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the Pacific Fleet. “We’re always hopeful that there are survivors as our efforts have continued.”

President Trump said Tuesday the Defense Department is investigating what led to the collision.

“As the Navy begins the process of recovering our fallen sailors, our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends,” Trump said. “We are grateful for the rescue and recovery efforts of the officers and crew of the USS John S. McCain, the Malaysian Coast Guard, Royal Malaysian Navy and Royal Singaporean Navy.”

The Malaysian Navy found one body, which is being transferred to U.S. custody, Swift said.

Other remains were found Tuesday, he said but declined to say where.

Five crew members were injured in the collision.

This was the fourth accident involving a Navy vessel in the Pacific this year and the second in the past two months.