Marine Hawaii air station commander sacked following investigation into liberty incident

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Paul J. Rock Jr. (center), commanding general, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, speaks with Col. Raul Lianez (left), commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Hawaii and Lt. Col. Nathaniel Baker (right), commanding, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, during his visit in 2018. (Sgt. Zachary Orr/Marine Corps)

The commander of the Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Marine air station was sacked following a command investigation into an April liberty incident, Marine officials announced Thursday evening.

Lt. Col. Nathaniel A. Baker was relieved of his command by Maj. Gen. Paul J. Rock Jr., the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, “due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to continue to serve in that position,” a command release said.

The Corps provided no other details surrounding Baker’s relief of his command of the Hawaii air station.

“The Marine Corps holds all Marines, especially commanders, responsible for their actions, and is committed to upholding high standards of honor, courage and commitment within the ranks,” the release said.