TOKYO — A ship commander and executive officer at Sasebo Naval Base were relieved of command due to a loss of confidence, the Navy announced Friday.
Cmdr. John Zuhowski was relieved Thursday of command of the USS Tortuga, an amphibious assault ship, by Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, of Commander Task Force 76, according to a news release. Lt. Cmdr. Dennis Burke, the ship’s executive officer, was also relieved, the statement said.
Both Zuhowski and Burke remain on active duty and face no loss of rank or punishment, according to Lt. Denver Applehans, spokesman for the task force. Applehans said he could not release any details about the change in command because of “privacy issues.”
Capt. Mark Weber, the deputy commodore of Amphibious Squadron Eleven at Sasebo, temporarily has assumed command of Tortuga. Weber is a former commanding officer of USS Fort McHenry, another amphibious landing ship.
Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Grant, of the Commander Task Force 76 staff, has temporarily assumed the duties of executive officer, according to the release.
