SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (KNX) — A Marine Corps panel will convene Tuesday to decide if an officer will be discharged in connection with the sinking of an amphibious assault vehicle off the coast of Orange County that killed nine service members last year.
Lt. Col. Michael J. Regner was relieved of command of his unit shortly after the incident in July 2020.
An investigation by the Corps found that subpar training and equipment maintenance, as well as poor judgment by Regner, led to the sinking of the AAV in what has been described as the deadliest Marine training accidents of all time.
It took 45 minutes for the tank to sink. Had its distress signal been seen sooner, rescuers likely could have saved the nine out of 16 passengers that died. But there were no rescue boats in the vicinity.
Officers aboard the AAV were also instructed not to remove helmets, weapons, and other gear, which prevented their escape. Some of the officers had not yet completed their swimming certifications. Nor did emergency lights function aboard the vessel.
If the board, composed of three U.S. Marines officers, determined discharge appropriate, Regner may lose military retirement benefits. The hearing is expected to last up to four days.
Related
