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CG: CO firing unrelated to cutter problems

The commander of the high endurance cutter Gallatin was fired Tuesday and temporarily reassigned to the Atlantic Area staff in Portsmouth, Va.

Atlantic Area Commander Vice Adm. Robert Papp Jr. relieved Capt. Mike B. Christian from command, citing “loss of confidence in the ability to provide appropriate and adequate leadership.”

“To have command of a Coast Guard cutter is one of the most demanding and crucial jobs with which an officer can be entrusted,” Papp said in a statement. “I take the responsibility of command very seriously, and it is vital that I have complete confidence in the commanding officer’s ability to properly lead his crew.”

Gallatin, which is more than 40 years old, was removed from a patrol last July – just a few months after Christian took command of the ship — and sent back to its home port to “resolve multiple casualties.” An inspection revealed the cutter was highly corroded and suffering from structural deterioration, according to the Coast Guard.

Atlantic Area spokesman Robert Wyman said there was no singular incident that led to Christian’s removal, and he added that Gallatin’s issues are mostly related to the ship’s age.

Papp has ordered Gallatin remain in its home port in Charleston, S.C., until the repairs are completed. Wyman said the ship should be entering dry dock “shortly.”

Capt. Robert Wagner, the former commanding officer of the cutter Dallas, will serve as acting commanding officer until the prospective CO arrives this spring.

Wyman said Capt. John Davis had already been selected to take command of the ailing vessel before the decision was made to relieve Christian.

“We don’t know if that will change now,” he said.

Christian is a 1986 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy. He has commanded the cutter Dependable and served as the operations officer for the cutter Hornbeam, as well as the executive officer of the cutters Cowslip and Steadfast.