The top two officers on the amphibious transport dock Anchorage were relieved Tuesday by the head of the surface Navy following an investigation into an on-board "engineering incident."

Former Anchorage commanding officer Capt. Jeffrey Craig and his executive officer, Lt. Cmdr. Joshua Johnson, were fired by the Navy's top surface warfare officer, Vice Adm. Thomas Rowden, citing a "loss of confidence in their ability to effectively lead and carry out assigned duties," according to a statement from Navy Surface Forces Pacific.

"The loss of confidence followed an investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding an engineering incident upon the ship's return to San Diego in March," the statement read.

Capt. Tom Workman has been temporarily placed in command of the San Diego-based Anchorage, and Cmdr. Brian Bethea has been installed as the temporary executive officer.

Craig assumed command of Anchorage in December, while Johnson took over as executive officer in July.

Craig, a Naval Academy graduate, was a career aviator who flew EA-6B Prowlers and served with Electronic Attack Squadrons 139 and 137. He also served as the executive officer of VAQ-129, a training squadron, and as XO — and subsequently CO — of VAQ-132. In 2014 he served as executive officer of the carrier Theodore Roosevelt before being selected to command Anchorage.


Johnson, a 2000 Naval Academy graduate, is a surface warfare officer whose previous tours include the dock landing ships Carter Hall and Germantown.

About David B. Larter

David B. Larter was the naval warfare reporter for Defense News.

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