Commander of Naval Fleet Relieved of Duty After Collisions
Divers have found remains of missing American sailors in the flooded compartments of the Navy destroyer John
S. McCain, which collided with an oil tanker on Monday off the coast of Singapore, Admiral Swift said.
But he noted that the investigation was in its earliest stages and said, “We are not taking any consideration off the table.”
The destroyer is named after John S. McCain Sr. and John S. McCain Jr., Navy admirals
who were the grandfather and father of Senator John McCain of Arizona.
Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, the head of the Seventh Fleet, the Navy’s largest overseas, was removed Wednesday in connection with
the four accidents since January, including two fatal collisions in the past two months, according to a statement by the Navy.
“The new Seventh Fleet commander must help move his team forward, focusing efforts on safe and effective operations.”
The admiral’s removal comes as the Navy is preparing to conduct an extremely rare suspension of ship
operations worldwide for a day or two in the next week to review safety and operational procedures.
Admiral Aucoin is being replaced by Rear Adm. Phil Sawyer, “who has already been nominated
and confirmed for the position and promotion to vice admiral,” the Navy statement said.
