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US navy fires senior officers of nuclear-powered attack submarine damaged in underwater collision in South China Sea

US navy fires senior officers of nuclear-powered attack submarine damaged in underwater collision in South China Sea , ABC News, 5 Nov 21,The US Navy has fired the two senior officers of a nuclear-powered attack submarine that was damaged in an underwater collision last month in the South China Sea.

Key points:

• Two senior officials and one sailor have been removed from their positions
• The Commander of the US 7th Fleet said sound judgement and prudent planning could have prevented the incident
• The US Navy has still not explained how or why the USS Connecticut struck an underwater mountain

A sailor who served as a senior enlisted adviser to the commander and the executive officer was also removed from his position.

The actions were taken by Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, commander of the US 7th Fleet, based in Japan.

“Thomas determined sound judgement, prudent decision-making and adherence to required procedures in navigation planning, watch team execution and risk management could have prevented the incident,” according to a 7th Fleet statement.

The Navy has yet to publicly explain how or why the USS Connecticut, a Seawolf-class submarine, struck a seamount, or underwater mountain, or to reveal the extent of damage to the vessel………
The incident happened on October 2 but was not reported by the Navy until five days later, well after it had exited the South China Sea.
The vessel made its way to Guam for a damage assessment, where it remains.

The 7th Fleet statement on Thursday also said the sub will return at an unspecified time to Bremerton, Washington for repairs.

At a regular press briefing on Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged the US to provide a full account of the details of the accident and “stop its provocation”.  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-05/us-navy-officers-fired-over-underwater-submarine-collision/100598370

November 6, 2021 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized