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Navy senior leaders under investigation for February diver deaths

Posted at 4:12 PM, May 01, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-01 19:15:21-04

The Commander of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) has issued an investigation into the disposition of criminal courts-martial charges against two Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) TWO senior leaders after the February 26 deaths of two Navy drivers during a training exercise at a training facility in Maryland.

The two divers, Navy Diver 1st Class James Reyher, 28, of Caldwell, Ohio, and Navy Diver 2nd Class Ryan Harris, 23, of Gladstone, Mo., were assigned to MDSU TWO, based in Virginia Beach.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EODGRU) TWO completed a command investigation into the events leading up to the deaths.

NECC is conducting a safety investigation into the incident, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) also completed a separate investigation.

The identities of the two senior leaders being investigated have not yet been announced. They are facing charges of dereliction of duty and involuntary manslaughter.

According to NECC, the UCMJ Article 32 investigation hearing, which is similar to a civilian grand jury proceeding, the charges and information collected will be considered and a recommendation on the next course of action will be made.

The hearing is scheduled to commence on May 21.

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