The commanding officer of a Japan-based guided-missile cruiser was removed from his post Tuesday, less than three months after he took command of the ship.
Capt. Tadd Gorman, commanding officer of the guided-missile cruiser Antietam, was relieved of his duties by Rear Adm. Karl Thomas, head of Task Force 70, Navy officials announced.
Gorman was the subject of a command-led investigation, and the findings led to his relief, said Lt. Cmdr. Matt Knight, a spokesman for Task Force 70.
The nature of the investigation has not been made public, but Knight said Thomas lost confidence in Gorman's "personal judgment and ability to command."
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The former skipper has been administratively reassigned to Task Force 70 and is currently aboard the supercarrier Ronald Reagan. Capt. Jim Storm, deputy commander of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, has assumed command of the Antietam, Knight said.
No other members of the crew were relieved or reassigned as a result of the investigation, he added.
Gorman became the Antietam's commanding officer during a May 30 change-of-command ceremony in Guam. The ship is currently forward deployed in the Philippine Sea.
The captain earned his commission in 1996 and previously served as commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer Ross. While in command of that ship, he led the destroyer on patrols in the Mediterranean and Black seas. He also oversaw the destroyer's homeport shift to Rota, Spain.
Gorman has deployed to Iraq and in support of the war in Afghanistan.
-- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins.
