The Navy has relieved the commanding officer of the Norfolk-based destroyer USS Stout, the service stated Monday.
Cmdr. Jeffrey Applebaugh, the skipper of the Stout, was faraway from his place on Friday as a result of a lack of confidence in his potential to command, in accordance with a Navy press launch. The choice was made by Capt. Blair Man, the commodore of Destroyer Squadron 28.
The Navy stated that Capt. Scott Rosetti will function the destroyer’s commanding officer till everlasting aid — Cmdr. Desmond Walker — is ready to take command.
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Lt. Cmdr. David Carter, a spokesman for the commander of the Navy’s Atlantic floor forces, informed Army.com that he was not capable of provide extra element on the firing however did be aware that “there aren’t any extra ongoing investigations associated to the aid.”
On Saturday, the ship’s Fb web page posted a message that bid farewell to Applebaugh and thanked him for “your dedication, your kindness, your professionalism, your compassion, your understanding, your dedication to the ship and its crew, and their security and well-being, your data, and your mentorship.”
“Most of all, thanks for all the time placing the ship and the crew first,” the submit added.
Feedback on the social media submit included “a gentleman of pure class and professionalism” and “fearless chief,” in addition to “actually one in every of a form.”
The ship had most not too long ago returned from a deployment within the fall of 2020 after which went right into a upkeep interval in summer time 2021.
Applebaugh took command of the Stout in October, in accordance with the Navy. His official biography notes that he served because the Stout’s second-in-command earlier than turning into its commander. He additionally served aboard the cruisers Bunker Hill and Normandy, in addition to the destroyer USS Gonzalez.
His decorations embody the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and numerous service and marketing campaign awards. He graduated in 2005 from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy with a bachelor of science in marine transportation and likewise holds a third mate’s limitless tonnage open ocean U.S. Coast Guard license.
Applebaugh is at the least the fourth ship commander to be relieved this yr by the Navy. Final month, it relieved the commander and government officer of the destroyer USS John Finn and in January, the commanders of the destroyer USS Carney and the amphibious ship USS Mesa Verde had been additionally fired.
Carter stated that the Navy had not fired the Stout’s government officer or its prime enlisted sailor — the command grasp chief.
In distinction, at round this time final yr, the Navy had publicly introduced the aid or reassignment of at the least 15 commanders, government officers or command enlisted representatives.
The Navy’s press launch stated that Applebaugh can be quickly reassigned to the Naval Floor Forces Atlantic and asserted that the firing can have no impression to the ship’s mission or schedule.
— Konstantin Toropin will be reached at konstantin.toropin@army.com. Comply with him on Twitter @ktoropin.
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