Washington, Oct 10 (IANS): A high ranking US military commander has been fired for involvement in illegal gambling activities, media reported Thursday.

Tim Giardina, deputy commander of the US Strategic Command which is responsible for the country’s nuclear arsenal, was placed under suspension last month and was formally relieved Wednesday, Press TV reported.

Giardina was accused of using at least $1,500 in fake gambling chips while playing poker at a casino in Iowa, the Omaha World-Herald newspaper reported.

"Based upon a recommendation from the Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel, the president determined Oct 3 that Vice Adm. Timothy M. Giardina, former deputy commander, US Strategic Command, should be relieved," a US defence official was quoted as saying.

President Barack Obama became involved in the case because only the president can remove a three and four-star officer from his post.

The Strategic Command, located near Omaha, Nebraska, was created in 1992 at the end of the Cold War and oversees everything from America's land-based nuclear missiles to space operations and military intelligence.