Hampton skipper fired amid investigation

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Hampton skipper fired amid investigation
By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Oct 25, 2007 21:28:47 EDT

SAN DIEGO — The commander of the fast-attack submarine Hampton was fired Thursday for what officials said was a “loss of confidence in his ability to command.” The relief comes amid reports that crew members skipped necessary chemical tests on the boat’s nuclear reactor and then forged the records to make it look as though those tests were completed.

Cmdr. Michael Portland was relieved by Capt. Paul Jaenichen, commodore of Submarine Squadron 11 at Naval Submarine Base Point Loma, Calif., said Lt. Alli Myrick, a squadron spokeswoman.
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Portland has been temporarily reassigned to Submarine Squadron 11, Myrick said, along with one officer and two enlisted crew members. Their names and job titles were not released.

The actions are in addition to previous administrative punishment levied against one other officer and five enlisted crew members. No details were provided.

“These actions are part of a continuing investigation of issues discovered on Hampton during a routine review of operations,” a squadron statement said. “Hampton’s operations were conducted safely but fell short of high Navy standards.”

Portland’s firing was just one month shy of a scheduled change of command, the statement said. Cmdr. William Houston, who had been slated to take command of the Hampton in November, is now the boat’s CO.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/navy_hampton_071025/