Capt. McWherter at a Blue Angels air show in 2010
Capt. Gregory McWherter, who served as Blue Angels commanding officer for two tours from 2008-10 and 2011-12, has been relieved of his duties due to “initial findings of an ongoing investigation into recent allegations of misconduct and an inappropriate command climate” at the Blue Angels during his command, the Navy said on Friday. McWherter had been serving as the executive officer of Naval Base Coronado in San Diego since last November. He has been temporarily reassigned to Naval Air Forces in San Diego, the Navy said. A complaint was filed with the Navy’s Inspector General last month. McWherter has declined to comment.
It’s unusual for a Blue Angels commander to serve more than two years, but McWherter was brought back to run the team after an incident at an airshow in Lynchburg, Va., in May 2011. During that event, the Blues flew their F/A-18 Hornets within a reported 130 feet of the ground, exceeding the team’s 500-foot standard. Afterward, Cmdr. Dave Koss requested to be relieved of duty, and McWherter was brought back to take his place. The investigation is not expected to affect the team’s current flying schedule.
