Navy relieves two commanding officers, citing loss of confidence

By Washington Examiner
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Navy Frigate
In this Sept. 18, 2015, photo released by the U.S. Navy, the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman is honored at a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va. The Kauffman was the last operational Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate to be retired. Shipbuilder Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, said in November 2017 that it is offering a new design concept in response to a Navy request for up to 20 new frigates. (Shane A. Jackson/U.S. Navy via AP)

Navy relieves two commanding officers, citing loss of confidence

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Two Navy commanding officers were relieved of duty this week due to losses of confidence in their ability to command.

Rear. Adm. Tom Williams, Commander Expeditionary Strike Group Two, relieved Capt. Michael Nordeen, commanding officer of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) on Jan 18. The same day, Capt. Jennifer Blakeslee, commodore, Naval Surface Squadron 14 (CNSS 14), relieved Cmdr. Alexa Jenkins, commanding officer of USS Carney (DDG 64).

Nordeen had been in command of Mesa Verde in August 2022 and will be temporarily reassigned to Commander, Naval Force Atlantic, in Norfolk, Virginia, while Capt. Gregory Baker will be the temporary commanding officer until a permanent replacement is selected.

Jenkins, who had served as the commanding officer since June 2022, will be temporarily reassigned to the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Squadron 14. Capt. Aaron Anderson will serve as the temporary commanding officer until a permanent replacement is chosen.

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Neither change in leadership is expected to affect the ships’ mission.

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