LF: Commander Of US Navy's Middle East Fleet Found Dead

After only seven months leading the US Navy's Fifth fleet, Vice Admiral Vice Admiral Scott Stearney - who led the American Navy presence in the Middle East from its base in Bahrain - has been found dead in his residence, the Navy announced Saturday evening.

Stearney, a Chicago native and graduate of the University of Notre Dame, assumed control of the fleet from Vice Adm. John C. Aquilino back in May after Aquilino had served in the role for only eight months. He was in his late fifties at the time of his death.

The circumstances surrounding the admiral's death are not yet known. Bahrainian authorities are cooperating in an investigation, according to a statement released by the Navy.

"The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are cooperating on the investigation, but at this time no foul play is suspected," said Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson.

Navy Chief of Operations John Richardson broke the news in a brief video posted to the Navy's twitter account.

🔉MT @CNORichardson: Team, it's my sad duty to inform you that today @secnav76 and I were informed that Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, our commander of @US5thFleet in Bahrain, was found deceased in his residence in Bahrain today. pic.twitter.com/vuw86W0fxh — U.S. Navy (@USNavy) December 1, 2018

During his 36 years in the Navy, Stearney served as a fighter pilot before leading an aerial strike force in Kabul during the 2000s, before ascending to the upper management ranks of the military, according to his Navy bio. As commander, he was responsible for more than 20,000 U.S. and coalition sailors, Marines, Coastguardsmen, and civilians. Rear Admiral Paul Schlise, the fleet's deputy commander, has assumed control of the fleet.

the Fifth Fleet helps oversee operations in areas like the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. According to CNN, the fleet is critical to US security interests due to its proximity to Iran and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, both of which are seen as threats to shipping in a region that's seen as one of the most critical arteries for shipments of crude oil and gas. Before Stearney took over, the fleet was involved in one of the biggest controversy in recent US military history when Iran captured two Navy ships that were part of a carrier strike group and temporarily detained 10 US sailors. Ships that were part of the fleet has been involved in several confrontations with Iranian ships since, though they've received far less media attention.

The word is that Stearney was due to participate in a false flag attack on the US Navy, to be blamed on Iran. Unconfirmed, as of yet.

US Navy admiral found dead in Bahrain ruled 'apparent suicide'

The US Navy admiral overseeing American naval forces in the Middle East was found dead at his residence in Bahrain, the Navy said on Saturday. Now Defends officials tell CBS that the death was an "apparent suicide."

Vice Admiral Scott Stearney, a Chicago native, was the commander of the US Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet.

Richardson described Stearney's death as "devastating news."

"Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior," Richardson said.

Stearney graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School, also known as "TOPGUN," and flew F/A-18 Hornets. He went on to become the director of operations of US Central Command before commanding 5th Fleet.