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US Navy Secretary John Phelan abruptly exits as acting chief steps in amid major deployments
International
Published on 24 April 2026
Acting head Hung Cao takes over after sudden exit
US Navy Secretary John Phelan has suddenly left his post, with Undersecretary Hung Cao stepping in as acting leader. The change adds to a broader wave of Pentagon reshuffles under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Phelan’s departure comes as US naval operations intensify across the Middle East and the Caribbean, raising questions about what’s next.
- John Phelan abruptly left the role of US Navy Secretary
- Hung Cao, a decorated Navy veteran, becomes acting head
- The move follows earlier Pentagon leadership changes under Pete Hegseth
- It comes during major naval operations in Middle East and Caribbean
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times