The commanding officer of USS Cowpens and another officer were relieved of duty on Tuesday following an inspection, the Navy said.
Capt. Gregory W. Gombert and the ship’s command master chief, Gabriel J. Keeton, were relieved by Rear Adm. Michael Smith, Commander of Carrier Strike Group 3, due to loss of confidence in the two officers’ ability to effectively lead and carry out their assigned duties.
The loss of confidence stems from the results of a series of inspections following the ship’s return from deployment. An investigation is underway.
Gombert and Keeton have been temporarily re-assigned.
Capt. Robert B. Chadwick II will assume temporary duties as commanding officer, and Master Chief Petty Officer Richard J. Putnam will temporarily assume duties as command master chief.
Cowpens is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser homeported in San Diego. It recently returned from a Western Pacific deployment.
