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CO of sub that collided with amphib fired

The commander of the attack submarine Hartford, which collided with an amphibious ship March 20 in the Strait of Hormuz, was relieved of command Tuesday in Bahrain, according to a Navy news release.

Cmdr. Ryan Brookhart was removed from his duties aboard the Hartford by Rear Adm. Michael Connor, commander of Submarine Group 7 and Task Force 54. According to a news release from 5th Fleet, Connor cited a “loss of confidence in Brookhart’s ability to command.”

Hartford collided with the amphibious transport dock New Orleans at night at the entrance to the Persian Gulf off Iran’s coast. Navy officials said the submarine was “submerged but near the surface” at the time of the accident. No one was reported seriously injured and both ships limped into Bahrain for damage assessments and repairs.

New Orleans has a 16-by-18-foot gash in its hull. Hartford’s sail is bent and partially torn from the hull.

Although the safety and mishap investigations into the accident are not concluded, “Connor determined that there was enough information to make the leadership change,” the release said.

Cmdr. Chris Harkins, deputy commander of Submarine Squadron 8 and previous commanding officer of the submarine Montpelier, has taken command of Hartford.