Overview
- The Pentagon, which announced the change Wednesday, said the departure was effective immediately and named Undersecretary Hung Cao acting secretary.
- Officials gave no reason for the exit, and Reuters and other outlets reported he was fired, a characterization the Pentagon has not confirmed.
- The change lands as the Navy enforces a blockade of Iranian ports during a fragile ceasefire, with U.S. forces redirecting 29 vessels and boarding two ships, according to CNN.
- The exit followed Phelan’s keynote at the Sea-Air-Space conference the day before, where he discussed shipbuilding plans and gave no public hint of leaving.
- The move tracks a broader reshuffle under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who recently removed Army Chief of Staff Randy George and other senior leaders.