US Navy fires USS Mason commander over ‘lack of trust’
The US Navy announced Friday that the commander of the destroyer USS Mason (DDG-87) has been removed. Captain Chavius Lewis was stripped of his command by order of the rear admiral Alexis Walkercommander of Carrier Strike Group 10, “due to a lack of confidence in his ability to lead,” according to an official statement.
As is standard in these types of announcements, the Navy did not provide further details on the specific reasons for the decision. In a statement, the institution stressed that it “maintains the highest standards for its leaders and holds them accountable when those standards are not met.”
Lewis assumed command of the ship in 2024. After the deposition, he was temporarily assigned to Naval Surface Group Southeast. Captain Kevin Hoffman will serve as acting commanding officer of the USS Mason.
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USS Mason, homeported in Mayport, Florida, is currently assigned to the US 2nd Fleet and participates in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) together with the aircraft carrier group around George H.W. Bush. The exercise is a central certification step before a possible operational effort.
According to the navy, the change of command affects neither the ship’s mission nor its operational schedule.
Operational context
USS Mason is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, specializing in air defense, anti-submarine warfare and surface combat operations. Integrated into aircraft carrier groups, the ship plays a strategic role in deterrence missions, forward presence and rapid response operations.
Resignations due to “lack of confidence” are relatively common in the United States armed forces and are usually linked to issues of leadership, organizational climate, operational performance, or administrative conduct.
Sources: news.usni.org | navy.mil. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editors.
