Navy discharges top USS Connecticut officers

The Navy has discharged three top USS Connecticut officers over last month’s underwater collision in the South China Sea.

The decisions were made by Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, commander of the US 7th Fleet in Japan. Vice Adm. Thomas found that sound judgement and critical decision-making could have averted the incident.

As a result, he relived Commander Cameron Aljilani as a commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Patrick Cashin as an executive officer, and Master Chief Sonar Technician Cory Rodgers as Chief of the Boat.

The public announcement explaining the reason behind the incident, and the amount of damage done is yet to come. The USS Connecticut is a Seawolf-class submarine, experts believe it struck an underwater mountain on October 02.

The Navy has said that no damage was done to the sub’s nuclear reactor or propulsion system, but extensive details are yet to come.

The submarine is currently stationed at Guam for damage assessment, according to the 7th Fleet. It is scheduled to return to Bremerton, Washington for repairs.

The USS Connecticut hit a seamount in the South China Sea just when tensions were flaring between regional allies and China. The collision had injured about fifteen sailors and shocked the entire World.