A MWSS (Marine Wing Support Squadron) function is expeditionary airfields. Airbase ground defense, EOD, combat engineering tasks, weather, lighting, comms, fuel, chow, medical support (70 some USN medical), etc.
Only scenario where this particular MWSS CO was responsible for the crash is if they, instead of the station, improperly loaded something that lead to the loss. This CO’s relief could very well be unrelated to the KC-130 and zero connection to the lightning strike, sounds like speculation by the press. A CH-53 Co was recently relieved for cause (more egregious than loss of confidence) and this was pretty much buried due to circumstances/personnel.
I disagree that the USMC not playing patty cakes as it has failed to relieve COs who violated orders under CO’s prerogative even after being advised by their respective staffs of the specifics of the bad idea. The
PR of relieving those in charge vice going after those who made the bad decisions negatively reflecting on the USMC. Aviano EA-6B, MEU (Allied Farce) Harrier, San Diego Hornet come immediately to mind. Before anyone brings up Aviano the EA-6B CO relieved for destruction of tapes ignores the actual fact that these tapes were “liberty training tapes” and not flying/duty tapes.
S/F, FOG