US Navy relieves another commanding officer, this time USS Wyoming’s Cmdr. Moreno, over ‘loss of confidence’

U.S. Navy Commander reassured. Robert Moreno, commander of the USS Wyoming submarine Blue Crew, was relieved of his duties on Wednesday, October 8, citing a loss of confidence in his command ability. Rear Adm. Bob Wirth, commander of Submarine Group Ten, made the decision, according to a Navy statement cited by USNI News. “Navy commanders are held to high standards of personal and professional conduct,” the statement said. “They are expected to maintain the highest standards of responsibility, reliability and leadership, and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall below those standards.”

Capt. David Burke, Submarine Squadron 20’s deputy in charge of training, temporarily took command of the Wyoming in Moreno’s absence, Navy Times reported. The Navy stated that the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine Wyoming, based in Kings Bay, Georgia, is currently under maintenance and will not be affected by the leadership change.

About the commander. Robert Moreno

Moreno, who was commissioned in 2005, assumed command of Wyoming in May last year and headed Cmdr. According to Steven Dykstra, 2014 DVIDSHUB report. He was temporarily assigned to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia. Prior to joining Wyoming, Moreno served as Commander of the Joint Force Maritime Component and Commander of Submarine Force Atlantic, both based in Norfolk, Virginia.

Past dismissals of US Navy commanders

Earlier this year, on February 20, the Navy removed Capt. Dave Snowden from command of the USS due to a loss of confidence following the USS Harry S. Truman’s collision with a merchant ship near Port Said, Egypt. The Navy suspended more than a dozen commanders in 2023, according to a 2024 report by Americangrit.