What Occurred To The USS Connecticut’s Captain After The Submarine Crashed?

In October 2021, the USS Connecticut (SSN 22), considered one of three Seawolf-class submarines, crashed right into a seamount, or undersea mountain. The Seawolf-class are a sequence of extremely superior assault submarines in the USA Navy. Dean Fearce as soon as wrote, “It isn’t the dimensions of the sword however the ability of the swordsman.” The identical sentiment will be utilized to naval vessels. Irrespective of how superior a vessel is, it is solely pretty much as good because the crew who operates it. So, when an assault submarine runs head-first into an underwater mountain, the blame tends to fall on the toes of these in cost. The Navy initiated an investigation instantly following the occasion.

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The investigation’s conclusion discovered that the whole incident was preventable and solely occurred due to a substandard efficiency from these in command. The Navy misplaced confidence within the boat’s skipper, Cmdr. Cameron Aljilani, and opted to alleviate him of his obligation as Connecticut’s commanding officer (CO). He was changed by Capt. John Witte, who took over as interim CO. Vice Adm. Karl Thomas wrote in his report that “sound judgement, prudent decision-making and adherence to required procedures in navigation planning, watch staff execution and threat administration may have prevented the incident.”

Shedding command of the submarine did not imply Aljilani was booted from the army altogether. He continues a fruitful profession within the US Navy as a Nuclear Command, Management, and Communications (NC3) Director. He wasn’t the one one relieved of obligation, as Thomas additionally eliminated government officer Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Cashin and Chief of the Boat Cory Rodgers.

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Crashing right into a seamount is an enormous deal and if it may have been preventable, it is a signal of systemic failure within the ship’s command. Nonetheless, it was simply the tip of the iceberg. The historical past of the USS Connecticut is suffering from preventable accidents and lapses in command judgement. A yr previous to the crash, in 2020, the USS Connecticut (SSN 22) reported a mattress bug infestation. An nameless petty officer informed Navy Occasions, “We have had bedbugs for a yr now. Sailors complained about getting bitten within the racks.” The difficulty had been occurring since March 2020, however a Naval Submarine Forces Pacific spokeswoman stated it wasn’t reported till December of 2020 after which they did not discover their “bodily presence” till February of 2021. The Navy requires bodily presence earlier than it will possibly act to take away the infestation.

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In April 2021 there was an incident often known as an allision, the place the Connecticut slammed right into a pier whereas mooring in San Diego, California. This prompted an investigation itself. The investigator really helpful “the CO, XO, NAV, OOD, and ANAV obtain administrative or disciplinary motion for dereliction of obligation,” Forbes reported. It was particularly regarding as a result of the allision was one other incident that might have been prevented. Sadly, none of those that the investigator really helpful for administrative motion acquired any. Commander of Submarine Growth Squadron-5 cleared the sub and crew of any wrongdoing.

And solely six months later, the submarine could be within the South China Sea the place a seamount was ready. Maybe because the US Navy incorporates AI into its submarines, incidents like this will likely be much less frequent.

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