THE “CURSE” OF THE “KITTY HAWK”
CARRIER SKIPPER AND BATTLE GROUP
COMMANDER BOTH “RELIEVED”
IN PAST SIX MONTHS – WILL FEMALE
OFFICER ESCAPE PUNISHMENT, WHILE
ADMIRAL KUNKLE WALKS THE PLANK?

Crewmen on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk are shaking their heads in the wake of the latest upheaval to hit the mighty aircraft carrier. For the second time in less than six months, a senior officer has been “relieved” for cause.

Back in September, Navy Capt. Thomas Hejl “got the axe” when 7th Fleet Commander, Vice-Admiral Robert F. Willard announced the then-Kitty Hawk skipper had failed to “carry out essential missions and taskings.” In other words, the captain “screwed up.” Surely he had help from the crew, but when there are serious mistakes, it is the ship’s commanding officer who must “walk the plank.”

At least that case didn’t have a “sex scandal” element to it. The firing by Willard of Kitty Hawk Battle Group Commander, Rear Adm. Steven Kunkle, who was whisked off the carrier by helicopter Feb. 13th, does! And many in the Navy are watching and waiting to see if Kunkle’s alleged “girlfriend” is punished as well.

“It takes two to tango,” one Navy source, familiar with the case, told MilitaryCorruption.com. “She’s just as guilty as he is. They’re both officers, and know the regs on fraternization and adultery. So both of them, not just the admiral, should be appropriately disciplined.”
But don’t hold your breath waiting to learn the female officer’s name.

The hated NCIS may have “cut a deal,” whereby she gets to keep a low profile, receives a “slap on the wrist,” and salvages her Navy career. That would be the “price” for making a statement against Kunkle.

“They never learn,” our Navy source said. “The female you are sleeping with today could be ratting you out to NCIS tomorrow to save her own rear end.”

For Kunkle, a much-decorated pilot during the Gulf War, the end of his career is a bitter pill indeed. But he should have thought of that, and the fact he is married, before taking up with another woman.

At least she wasn’t a female enlisted person. But, it doesn’t say much for the female officer’s judgement, being in a position of responsibility and knowing full well what she was doing. She just didn’t think she and “lover boy” Kunkle would get caught.