The captain of the Mayport, Florida-based frigate USS Taylor has been fired after the ship ran aground off the coast of Turkey two weeks ago.
The commander of Task Force 65, Capt. Jim Aiken, relieved Cmdr. Dennis Volpe due to loss of confidence in Volpe’s ability to command, according to a release from the Navy.
The relief occurred following a preliminary inquiry into the ship’s Feb. 12 grounding in Samsun, Turkey. The grounding occurred as Taylor was preparing to moor in Samsun. The Taylor was in the Black Sea in case of trouble at the Winter Olympics and is currently on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
There were no reported injuries from the grounding, and the incident is currently under investigation.
Volpe has been temporarily reassigned to the staff of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14.
Cmdr. Chris Cigna has been named as interim commanding officer of the Taylor until a permanent captain can be assigned.
