US guided-missile submarine commander relieved of duty

The U.S. Navy fired a commander on the guided-missile submarine USS Georgia, citing a “loss of confidence” in his ability to command.

Capt. Geoffry Patterson, commander of the submarine’s Blue Crew, was relieved of command Friday, according to a Navy press release this week.

“Navy commanding officers are held to high standards of personal and professional conduct,” the Navy said in the press release. “They are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability, and leadership, and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall short of those standards.”

Patterson was relieved by Rear Adm. Thomas Buchanan, the commander of Submarine Group 10, which oversees Ohio-class submarines at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia.

The Navy did not offer any further information on the incident.

Capt. Christopher Osborn, commanding officer of the USS Georgia’s Gold Crew, retains command of the submarine, and operations were not impacted by the command switch, according to the Navy.

Submarine crews alternate command of the vessel with blue and gold crews to ensure rotational command and control.

The USS Georgia is an Ohio-class, nuclear-powered submarine equipped with cruise missiles.