From U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs
GAETA, Italy (NNS) -- Cmdr. Richard Voter,
commanding officer of USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723), was relieved of command Nov.
30 in La Maddalena, Sardinia.
Rear Adm. Kirkland Donald, Commander, Submarine Group 8, took this action after
reviewing the investigation into the collision between the submarine and a
Norwegian commercial vessel Nov. 13. Donald ordered him to be relieved after he
lost confidence in Voter’s ability to command.
Voter, one other officer and two enlisted crew members were also disciplined in
a non-judicial punishment proceeding Dec. 2. Charged with dereliction of duty,
they each received punishment ranging from punitive letters of reprimand to
reduction in rank. The officers were relieved of their duties and ordered to
return to their parent squadron, Submarine Squadron 8, in Norfolk, Va. The
enlisted crew members will remain aboard the submarine.
Capt. Howard Reese, Commander, Submarine Squadron 22, assumed command of
Oklahoma City. Reese will turn command over to Cmdr. Ronald LaSalvia, Deputy
Commander, Submarine Squadron 8 later this week.
Oklahoma City remains in port, undergoing repair at the Naval Support Activity,
La Maddalena, Sardinia. The submarine suffered damage to its periscope and sail
area. The submarine’s propulsion system was not affected, and there were no
injuries reported in this accident.
When repairs to the submarine are completed, the ship will undergo a
recertification procedure to ensure the ship is ready to resume operations.
Oklahoma City began a scheduled six-month deployment with the USS George
Washington (CVN 73) Battle Group in June 2002.