U.S. Navy relieves USS West Virginia submarine commander for loss of confidence
The U.S. Navy relieved Cmdr. Joseph Sammur, commander of the Blue Crew of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia, on August 3, 2026, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command. No specific reason was given. Sammur, who assumed command in August 2025, was reassigned to Submarine Group 10. Cmdr. Luke Kelvington was named interim commander. The submarine is in port for maintenance at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, and the Navy stated the relief will not affect operations.
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Navy fires commanding officer of USS West Virginia
The U.S. Navy relieved Cmdr. Joseph Sammur as commanding officer of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia on August 3, 2026, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command. Sammur, who assumed command on August 14, 2025, was reassigned to Submarine Group 10. The Navy did not specify the reasons for the dismissal, using the standard 'loss of confidence' phrasing. Cmdr. Luke Kelvington, Deputy for Training at Submarine Squadron 20, will serve as interim commanding officer. The submarine is currently undergoing maintenance at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia, and the Navy stated the relief does not affect the ship's mission or schedule. This follows similar firings in June and February 2026 of other Navy leaders.
Navy fires commanding officer of USS West Virginia
The U.S. Navy relieved Cmdr. Joseph Sammur as commanding officer of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia on August 3, 2026, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command. Sammur, who assumed command on August 14, 2025, was reassigned to Submarine Group 10. The Navy did not specify the reasons for the dismissal, using the standard 'loss of confidence' phrasing. Cmdr. Luke Kelvington, Deputy for Training of Submarine Squadron 20, will serve as interim commanding officer. The submarine is currently undergoing maintenance at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia. The Navy stated the relief does not affect the ship's mission or schedule. This follows similar reliefs of leadership at an overseas maintenance center in June and the destroyer USS Mason's commanding officer in February 2026.
Navy fires commanding officer of USS West Virginia
The U.S. Navy relieved Cmdr. Joseph Sammur as commanding officer of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia on August 3, 2026, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command. Sammur, who assumed command on August 14, 2025, was reassigned to Submarine Group 10. The Navy did not specify the reasons for the dismissal, using the standard 'loss of confidence' phrasing. Cmdr. Luke Kelvington, Deputy for Training of Submarine Squadron 20, will serve as interim commanding officer. The submarine is currently undergoing maintenance at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia. The Navy stated the relief does not affect the ship's mission or schedule. This action follows similar firings of senior Navy leaders in June and February 2026.
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Navy fires commanding officer of USS West Virginia
The U.S. Navy relieved Cmdr. Joseph Sammur as commanding officer of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia on August 3, 2026, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command. Sammur, who assumed command on August 14, 2025, was reassigned to Submarine Group 10. The Navy did not specify the reasons for the dismissal, using the standard 'loss of confidence' phrasing. Cmdr. Luke Kelvington will serve as interim commanding officer. The submarine is currently undergoing maintenance at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia, and the Navy stated the relief does not affect the ship's mission or schedule. This follows similar firings of Navy leaders in June and February 2026.
Navy fires commanding officer of USS West Virginia
The U.S. Navy relieved Cmdr. Joseph Sammur as commanding officer of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia on August 3, 2026, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command. Sammur, who assumed command on August 14, 2025, has been reassigned to Submarine Group 10. The Navy did not specify the reasons for the dismissal, using the standard 'loss of confidence' phrasing. Cmdr. Luke Kelvington, Deputy for Training at Submarine Squadron 20, will serve as interim commanding officer. The submarine is currently undergoing maintenance at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia, and the Navy stated the relief does not affect the ship's mission or schedule. This action follows similar firings of senior Navy leaders in June and February 2026.
Navy fires commanding officer of USS West Virginia
The U.S. Navy relieved Cmdr. Joseph Sammur as commanding officer of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia on August 3, 2026, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command. Sammur, who assumed command on August 14, 2025, was reassigned to Submarine Group 10. Cmdr. Luke Kelvington, Deputy for Training of Submarine Squadron 20, will serve as interim commanding officer. The submarine is currently undergoing maintenance at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia. The Navy did not specify the reasons for the relief, using the standard 'loss of confidence' phrasing. The service stated the change does not affect the ship's mission or schedule. This follows similar reliefs in June of three officials at an overseas maintenance center and in February of the commanding officer of the destroyer USS Mason.
Navy relieves USS West Virginia submarine commander for loss of confidence
The U.S. Navy relieved Cmdr. Joseph Sammur, commander of the Blue Crew of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia, on July 30, 2025, citing a 'loss of confidence in his ability to command.' Sammur had led the crew since August 2025, taking over from Cmdr. James Kepper IV. No specific reason was given, though 'loss of confidence' can cover mishaps, misconduct, or poor performance. Sammur was reassigned temporarily to Submarine Group 10. Cmdr. Luke Kelvington was named interim Blue Crew commander. The USS West Virginia, homeported in Kings Bay, Georgia, is currently in port for maintenance, and the Navy stated the removal will not impact operations. Sammur commissioned in 2006 and previously served at the National Airborne Operations Center.
Navy relieves USS West Virginia submarine commander for loss of confidence
The U.S. Navy relieved Cmdr. Joseph Sammur, commander of the Blue Crew of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia, on July 30, 2025, citing a 'loss of confidence in his ability to command.' No specific reason was given, though such dismissals can stem from mishaps, misconduct, or poor performance. Sammur had led the crew since August 2025, taking over from Cmdr. James Kepper IV. He was reassigned temporarily to Submarine Group 10. Cmdr. Luke Kelvington was named interim Blue Crew commander. The USS West Virginia, homeported in Kings Bay, Georgia, is currently in port for maintenance, and the Navy stated the removal will not affect operations. Sammur commissioned in 2006 and previously served at the National Airborne Operations Center.
Navy relieves USS West Virginia submarine commander for loss of confidence
The U.S. Navy relieved Cmdr. Joseph Sammur, commander of the Blue Crew of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia, on July 30, 2025, citing a 'loss of confidence in his ability to command.' Sammur had led the crew since August 2025, taking over from Cmdr. James Kepper IV. No specific reason was given, but the term 'loss of confidence' can cover mishaps, misconduct, or poor performance. Sammur was temporarily reassigned to Submarine Group 10, and Cmdr. Luke Kelvington was named interim Blue Crew commander. The submarine, homeported in Kings Bay, Georgia, is currently in port for maintenance, and the Navy stated the removal will not affect operations.