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Burke skipper is 6th CO fired in 6 weeks

NORFOLK, Va. — Cmdr. E.J. McClure, captain of the destroyer Arleigh Burke, was relieved of command Monday by Rear Adm. Dan Holloway, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, according to a Navy official.

Holloway had a “loss of confidence in her ability to command” following the May 15 “soft grounding” of the Burke off Norfolk as the ship was heading back into port. No one was injured in the incident, but damage to the ship is still being assessed, according to the official.

McClure was temporarily reassigned to Naval Surface Force, Atlantic. Burke’s executive officer, Lt. Cmdr. Allen Hobbs, is the interim commander.

Destroyer Squadron 2 commodore Capt. Larry Tindal was aboard Burke at the time of the grounding. His status following the incident, “will come out in the investigation,” by CSG 12 officers, the official said.

McClure is the sixth CO to be relieved since April 16.

Related reading:

5 COs fired in 5 weeks, and more may follow