The United States Navy has relieved the commanding officer of a guided-missile destroyer, USS Mason, of his duties, at a time when the ship is part of a fleet preparing for potential strike deployment.
USS Mason Captain Chavius G. Lewis was fired by Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10, Rear Admiral Alexis T. Walker because of a “loss of confidence,” according to the Navy report, although further details were not disclosed.
It is common for the Navy, and other military services, to cite “a loss of confidence” when firing high-ranking leaders without providing additional explanation.
The Navy added that Lewis’ dismissal “does not impact the ship’s mission or schedule,” and that it “maintains the highest standards for leaders and holds them accountable when those standards are not met.”
Why It Matters
Even though the Navy has said the dismissal of USS Mason’s commander will not impact the ship’s schedule as it prepares for deployment, the firing of a Navy destroyer’s commander can have ripple effects on board.
As a commanding officer is in charge of training standards, accountability, morale and general command of the crew, any leadership transitions can have the potential to stir things up on board, and potentially cause tension, according to the news outlet military.com.
The ambiguity of the cited reason for relief, “loss of confidence,” can also create speculation and unease among the crew, while others may feel it reinforces accountability.
What To Know
Lewis, who assumed command of the Mason on November 14, 2024, has been temporarily reassigned to the Naval Surface Group Southeast. Captain Kevin Hoffman is taking his place as Mason’s commanding officer.
The announcement comes as USS Mason is assigned to the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of operations participating in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX is a drill aimed at testing a ship’s readiness to handle complex and stressful scenarios, ahead of deployment.
Lewis was deployed a number of times before he became commanding officer of the Mason, to the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea, according to the news outlet Task and Purpose. He also previously served as the commander of the USS Pioneer and USS Dextrous.
What Is The USS Mason?
After being built in Bath Iron Works, Maine, USS Mason was launched in June 2001. It is the third ship to bear the name of Mason and is the 37th ship of the Arleigh Burke Class of AEGIS Guided Missile Destroyers.
It follows the second Mason, which was built in Massachusetts in 1943 and known for being the only U.S. Navy destroyer to be manned with a predominantly Black enlisted crew.
The Mason is also known for its efforts in the Red Sea. While it was deployed off the coast of Yemen in 2016, the Mason was targeted by two missiles fired from Houthi-controlled territory. Both fell short and did not damage the ship, although a spokesman for Yemen’s rebel Houthi movement told the Saba news agency that it had not targeted any warships.
More recently, while it was deployed to the region in 2024, the Navy destroyer found itself under fire from anti-ship ballistic missiles after joining the Navy’s counter-Houthi mission in response to the war in Gaza, and was able to shoot down the missiles and successfully resolve a pirate attack on the commercial shipping vessel M/V Central Park.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Navy said in a statement: “Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10, Rear Admiral Alexis T. Walker, relieved the commanding officer of USS Mason (DDG 87), Capt. Chavius G. Lewis, Feb. 13, due to a loss of confidence in Lewis’ ability to command.
“Capt. Kevin Hoffman will serve as Mason’s commanding officer.
“The Navy maintains the highest standards for leaders and holds them accountable when those standards are not met.
“Mason is currently assigned to the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of operations participating in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). The relief does not impact the ship’s mission or schedule. Lewis, who assumed command of Mason on Nov. 14, 2024, has been temporarily reassigned to Commander, Naval Surface Group Southeast.”
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