The Navy has replaced the commander of the USS Taylor, two weeks after it ran aground in the Black Sea.
Cmdr. Dennis Volpe was removed from command by Capt. Jim Aiken due to a “loss of confidence” in the former after the Feb. 12 grounding, the 6th Fleet said in a statement released Tuesday. The warship was attempting to moor in Turkey when the accident happened.
“When something like this happens, the ability for him to maintain command is going to be questioned,” said Navy spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Sarah Flaherty, the Navy Times reported. The USS Taylor was sent to the region in case it was needed for security purposes at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
The Navy Times reported that Cmdr. Volpe has been temporarily reassigned to a staff position at Destroyer Squadron 14, base in Mayport, Fla. The ship’s interim CO will be Cmdr. Chris Cigna.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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