USS Wyoming submarine: Commanding officer removed as Navy cites “loss of confidence”
The U.S. Navy has removed the commanding officer of the USS Wyoming submarine, an Ohio-class ballistic-missile boat homeported at Kings Bay, Georgia, in a leadership shake-up that underscores how unforgiving the standards are aboard the sea-based leg of America’s nuclear triad. The decision, announced late Thursday, centers on the Blue Crew’s top officer and arrives as the boat remains in maintenance, meaning day-to-day operations and strategic readiness are not expected to be disrupted.
What happened aboard the USS Wyoming submarine
Rear Adm. Bob Wirth, commander of Submarine Group Ten, relieved Cmdr. Robert Moreno of command, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to lead. The Navy did not detail underlying causes—normal practice for such actions—but emphasized its expectation that commanding officers meet exacting personal and professional standards. Capt. David Burke, deputy for training at Submarine Squadron 20, has assumed temporary responsibility for the Wyoming while the service realigns the crew’s leadership.
Why the Wyoming change matters now
Leadership stability is central to ballistic-missile submarine operations, even when a boat is pier-side. The USS Wyoming submarine (SSBN-742) is part of the Atlantic-based deterrent force that rotates Blue and Gold crews to sustain continuous readiness. Removing a CO mid-cycle is rare and notable because it forces a rapid reset: realigning watch teams, revalidating training gates, and re-establishing command climate. The Navy’s immediate appointment of an experienced squadron officer signals an intent to keep inspection timelines, certifications, and post-maintenance milestones on track.
Inside the Blue/Gold model on an Ohio-class “boomer”
The Wyoming, like its sister ships, runs a two-crew system designed to preserve the hull while maximizing patrol tempo. Each crew—Blue and Gold—owns training pipelines, maintenance duties, and eventual at-sea certifications. A CO relief affects more than the wardroom; it ripples through navigation, engineering, and strategic weapons departments that must recertify under new leadership. Expect the squadron to focus on:
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Training rhythm: Reconfirming drill performance in engineering and strategic systems.
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Crew climate: Reinforcing standards, counseling, and communication from the top down.
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Inspection cadence: Keeping maintenance, dock trials, and pre-deployment checks aligned with Strategic Systems Programs and Submarine Force Atlantic requirements.
The USS Wyoming submarine in context
Commissioned in 1996 and homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, the Wyoming is a core asset in the Atlantic deterrent. While the current leadership move arrives during maintenance, the Navy says the change should not affect readiness. That point is critical: the strategic mission depends as much on procedural discipline and verified competence ashore as it does on silent patrols at sea. A timely, transparent handover helps reassure both the fleet and civilian oversight that the yard-to-sea timeline remains intact.
What comes next for the crew and the boat
Near-term, watch for three markers:
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Interim command team consolidation. With Capt. Burke holding the reins, department heads will tighten reporting chains and revisit standing orders to remove ambiguity.
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Validation events. Expect a visible emphasis on engineering drills, reactor safeguards, navigation checks, and weapons department readiness as the boat moves toward sea trials after maintenance.
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Permanent assignment. The Navy will designate a new Blue Crew CO once the screening process is complete, restoring the standard Blue/Gold symmetry that anchors morale and performance.
The bigger picture: accountability and deterrence
The USS Wyoming submarine episode is a reminder that the credibility of nuclear deterrence is built on routine excellence, not rhetoric. In this community, “loss of confidence” isn’t a headline—it’s a safety valve. By acting quickly, the Navy protects the culture of precision that keeps patrol cycles predictable and the strategic force credible. For sailors at Kings Bay, the message is clear: standards don’t pause for maintenance, and leadership is a job measured daily—on the pier, in the training facility, and, soon enough, back under the Atlantic.
