Tag Archives: US Fleet Forces Command

Wide Swath of Surface Navy Reforms Included in 2019 NDAA Conference Bill

Wide Swath of Surface Navy Reforms Included in 2019 NDAA Conference Bill

Ens. Scott Payne observes the tow line from the flight deck of the guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110). US Navy Photo

This post has been updated to clarify a provision that would change the timing of a warship’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) inspection. The bill calls for “minimal notice” for INSURVs, not “no notice.”

The Senate and House armed services committees agreed on several major reforms to Navy’s surface forces as part of the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act in reaction to the two fatal collisions of warships in the Western Pacific. Read More

Second USS Fitzgerald Officer Defers Plea to Negligence, Hazarding a Vessel Charges

Second USS Fitzgerald Officer Defers Plea to Negligence, Hazarding a Vessel Charges

USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) returns to Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka following a collision with a merchant vessel while operating southwest of Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kryzentia Weiermann/Released)

An officer charged with negligence for her role in the collision of USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) reserved her right not to enter a plea on Monday during an arraignment before a military judge. Read More

Former USS Fitzgerald CO Pleads Not Guilty to Negligence Charges

Former USS Fitzgerald CO Pleads Not Guilty to Negligence Charges

Cmdr. Bryce Benson. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated to include Cmdr. Benson’s redacted charge sheet.

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD – The former commander of USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) has pleaded not guilty to charges he committed criminal acts leading up to the collision of the guided-missile destroyer, in a Tuesday arraignment. Read More

Navy Drops Homicide Charges Against USS Fitzgerald Commander, Junior Officers

Navy Drops Homicide Charges Against USS Fitzgerald Commander, Junior Officers

USS Fitzgerald pierside at the U.S. naval base at Yokosuka, Japan in June 2017.

This post has been updated to include statements from Cmdr. Bryce Benson and Lt. Natalie Combs.

The former commander of USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) and two junior officers will not face negligent homicide charges for their role in a collision off the coast of Japan that killed seven sailors last year, USNI News has learned. Read More

Summary of Major Events Since Fatal USS Fitzgerald Collision

Summary of Major Events Since Fatal USS Fitzgerald Collision

Last year’s fatal collisions of guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) and USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) began a chain of investigations, accountability actions and reform efforts. The following is a summary of the major events that have occurred since the early morning June 17, 2018, incident between Fitzgerald and the merchant ship ACX Crystal. Read More

Navy Official Recommends No Criminal Trial for USS Fitzgerald Junior Officers

Navy Official Recommends No Criminal Trial for USS Fitzgerald Junior Officers

USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) moves into Dry Dock 4 at Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka to continue repairs and assess damage sustained from its June 17 collision with a merchant vessel. US Navy Photo

Two officers who faced negligent homicide charges for their role in the fatal June 2017 USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) collision have been recommended not to face court-martial and instead be separated from the Navy, according to a recommendation following a preliminary hearing last month. Read More

SECNAV Recommends Former SWO Boss Rowden to Retire at Lower Rank

SECNAV Recommends Former SWO Boss Rowden to Retire at Lower Rank

Vice Adm. Thomas Rowden, Commander of Naval Surface Forces. US Navy photo.

This story will be updated as new information becomes available.

The Secretary of the Navy has decided the former head of U.S. surface forces will retire as a two-star rear admiral not a three-star vice admiral, according to two sources familiar with the decision. Read More

UPDATED: Senior Enlisted USS McCain Sailor Pleads Guilty to Dereliction Charge in Collision

UPDATED: Senior Enlisted USS McCain Sailor Pleads Guilty to Dereliction Charge in Collision

Guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) is towed away from the pier at Changi Naval Base, Oct. 5, to meet heavy lift transport vessel MV Treasure on Oct. 5, 2017. US Navy Photo

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD — A senior enlisted member of the guided-missile destroyer USS McCain (DDG-56) crew pleaded guilty to a single charge of dereliction of duty for his part leading up to a fatal August 2017 collision in a summary court-martial. Read More

Former USS Fitzgerald CO Benson Vows to Take Collision Case to Trial

Former USS Fitzgerald CO Benson Vows to Take Collision Case to Trial

Cmdr. Bryce Benson, then-executive officer, assists in bringing down the battle ensign aboard USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) in 2016. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated with a statement from the Navy.

The former commander of the U.S. warship involved in a fatal collision off the coast of Japan last year is vowing to take his case to court-martial and is accusing Navy leadership of trying him in the press before his trial. Read More