Navy Captain Fired After Latest Red Hill Fuel Leak
The Navy admiral who relieved the captain touted “accountability for safety” in a staff email on Monday.
Naval Capt. Albert Lee Hornyak, the commanding officer of NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center, has been fired following a leak this week at the Red Hill fuel facility, the Navy announced Monday evening.
Naval Supply Systems Command Rear Adm. Peter Stamatopoulos relieved Hornyak of his duties “following a series of leadership and oversight failures at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility,” the Navy said in
Asked for further detail, Richard Spiegel, NAVSUP’s director of corporate communication, specifically cited a leak last week at the World War II-era fuel facility.
The Navy and Hawaii health department reported the release of approximately 30 gallons of a fuel and water mixture during a maintenance procedure in which water is removed from tanks.聽It was the first fuel release reported at the facility since two major leaks last year caused a water contamination crisis impacting tens of thousands of military water customers.
“He was relieved following a loss of confidence in his ability to command and a lack of procedural compliance during a recent dewatering event,” Spiegel said.
No further details were provided. Hornyak has not been court-martialed and is still an active member of the Navy, Spiegel said.
“He鈥檒l be reassigned consistent with the needs of the Navy,” Spiegel said.
Hornyak had only been the commanding officer of the NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center since August 2021.
Rear Adm. Kristin Acquavella will be temporarily assigned to replace him, the Navy announced, and Stamatopoulos will assign additional senior fuel subject matter experts to assist her.
“There is no impact to the (Fleet Logistics Center’s) mission,” the Navy said.
In an email to subordinates on Monday, Stamatopoulos said the recent fuel release at Red Hill demands urgent action to “ensure safe and effective operations are inherent in everything we do.”
“Extreme ownership and accountability for safety will make us a stronger and more combat-effective organization,” he wrote.
