Tag Archives: US 7th Fleet

More Punishments Issued for Fatal Western Pacific Destroyer Collisions; Dates Set for Initial D.C. Criminal Hearings

More Punishments Issued for Fatal Western Pacific Destroyer Collisions; Dates Set for Initial D.C. Criminal Hearings

USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) stands by before it is loaded onto the heavy lift transport vessel MV Transshelf. Transshelf will transport Fitzgerald to Pascagoula, Mississippi to complete repairs. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William McCann/Released)

THE PENTAGON – Navy leadership has issued more punishments to sailors involved in the two fatal collisions in the Western Pacific, senior service officials told USNI News on Thursday. Read More

Stricken Destroyer USS Fitzgerald Arrives in Mississippi for Two Years of Repairs

Stricken Destroyer USS Fitzgerald Arrives in Mississippi for Two Years of Repairs

The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) arrives at the port of Pascagoula, Miss. on Jan. 19, 2018 aboard the heavy lift transport vessel M/V Transshelf. US Navy Photo

The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) has arrived in Mississippi ahead of repairs that were the result of a fatal collision with a merchant ship in June, the Navy announced on Friday. Read More

Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Maintenance Prompted Short Vinson Carrier Strike Group Deployment

Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Maintenance Prompted Short Vinson Carrier Strike Group Deployment

An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the “Blue Hawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 participates in a change of command ceremony near the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on Jan. 15, 2018. US Navy Photo

With USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) tied-up in maintenance for a couple months, the Carl Vinson Strike Group is pinch-hitting in the Western Pacific on a short deployment less than a year from returning from the region.

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Navy: Criminal Charges for COs, Crewmembers Likely Final Accountability Action for McCain, Fitzgerald Collisions; Initial Hearings Will be in D.C.

Navy: Criminal Charges for COs, Crewmembers Likely Final Accountability Action for McCain, Fitzgerald Collisions; Initial Hearings Will be in D.C.

USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) is loading onto the heavy lift transport vessel MV Transshelf. US Navy Photo

This post has been corrected to reflect early accountability actions taken on USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) after the collision on Aug. 21 with a merchant tanker. The commander and executive officer were removed from their positions, not the Command Master Chief. The post has also been amended to clarify the definition of negligent homicide under military law.

Criminal charges against crew members involved in the two fatal 2017 surface navy collisions that cost the lives of 17 sailors are likely the last accountability actions to be taken by the service, as the admiral overseeing the process has completed his review, Navy officials told USNI News on Wednesday. Read More

Former Fitzgerald, McCain COs Face Negligent Homicide, Dereliction of Duty Charges Over Fatal Collisions

Former Fitzgerald, McCain COs Face Negligent Homicide, Dereliction of Duty Charges Over Fatal Collisions

Former USS Fitzgerald commander Cmdr. Bryce Benson (left), Former USS John S. McCain commander Cmdr. Alfredo J. Sanchez (right). USNI News Image

This post has been updated to correct the name of the former commander of USS John S. McCain (DDG-56). The correct name is Cmdr. Alfredo J. Sanchez. This post has also been updated with a statement from the service. 

The commanders of the two guided-missile destroyers that were involved in fatal collisions with merchant ships in 2017 will face military criminal charges that include dereliction of duty, hazarding a vessel and negligent homicide, USNI News has learned. Read More

SWO Boss Rowden Out Early As Part of Additional Disciplinary Actions for Fatal McCain, Fitzgerald Collisions

SWO Boss Rowden Out Early As Part of Additional Disciplinary Actions for Fatal McCain, Fitzgerald Collisions

Outoging commander of Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Vice Adm. Tom Rowden speaks with the crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG-76) on Sept. 17, 2017. US Navy Photo

The head of U.S. naval surface forces will be replaced this week following the results of an independent investigation into the two fatal collisions in the Western Pacific that claimed the lives of 17 sailors, several defense officials confirmed to USNI News this week. Read More

USS Fitzgerald Back in Yokosuka After Suffering Damage During Transit

USS Fitzgerald Back in Yokosuka After Suffering Damage During Transit

USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) is loading onto the heavy lift transport vessel MV Transshelf. US Navy Photo

USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), crippled in a deadly June collision with a merchant ship, suffered two hull punctures over the weekend by the special transport vessel hired to bring the guided-missile destroyer to the U.S. from Japan for repairs.

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Head of Naval Reactors Appointed to Oversee Additional Disciplinary Action for McCain, Fitzgerald Collisions

Head of Naval Reactors Appointed to Oversee Additional Disciplinary Action for McCain, Fitzgerald Collisions

Adm. James F. Caldwell, Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, gives remarks during an senior leader all hands at Sharkey Theater, July 11, 2017. US Navy Photo

The admiral in charge of the Navy’s nuclear reactors program will oversee any additional punishments related to the fatal collisions of guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) and USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), USNI News has learned. Read More