US Army sacks the top commander of Marines in Australia

The top man in the United States Marine Corps stationed in the Top End has been relieved of command.

File image of the first contingent of 200 US Marines to be deployed in Australia arriving at RAAF Base Darwin. (AAP/AFP). Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

The top man in the United States Marine Corps stationed in the Top End has been relieved of command.

Colonel James Schnelle has appeared in court charged with drink driving.

He was stopped by police along Darwin's night club strip last month.

He was fined and disqualified from driving but no conviction was recorded.

Colonel Schnelle had been commanding the largest contingent of Marines ever to rotate through the Top End.