US Navy fired two senior officials and one senior advisor being responsible for the damage of USS Connecticut, the nuclear-powered Seawolf-class submarine in an underwater collision last month at the South China Sea under their command.
Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, the commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet based in Japan took the action as he opined proper sound judgment, prudent decision-making, conscious navigation planning, execution, and risk management could have prevented the incident.
Cmdr. Cameron Aljilani the commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Cashin the executive officer, and Master Chief Sonar Technician Cory Rodgers, chief of the boat, also enlisted as a senior adviser to the commander and the executive officer, were relieved from their duties.
The Navy has said that the submarine had struck a seamount damaging to the forward section with its ballast tanks there. However, the nuclear reactor and propulsion system of the boat was not damaged.
The accident took place on November, 2, however, the Navy first published the news after 5 days.
Now, the vessel is sent to Guam for a damage assessment and will return to Bremerton, Washington for repairs for an unspecified time.
Bottom Line: The US Navy has fired two senior officials and one senior advisor being responsible for the damage of the nuclear-powered submarine USS Connecticut in an underwater collision under their command which could have been avoided with proper judgment, planning & execution.
