On February 22, the U.S. Navy issued a press release stating that it had relieved the commander of the USS Truxtun following the destroyer’s collision with a logistics vessel in the Caribbean, in an incident that occurred during an underway replenishment operation within the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility. The measure was adopted after the collision between the destroyer and the logistics vessel USNS Supply, while both units were conducting maneuvers in the Caribbean Sea.
Rear Admiral Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, ordered on February 22 the relief of Commander James Koffi, who was in command of the destroyer USS Truxtun. According to the official statement, the decision was made due to a “loss of confidence in Koffi’s ability to command,” following the incident recorded on February 11, 2026, during an underway replenishment maneuver at sea.
According to information confirmed by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the collision occurred in the afternoon and resulted in two personnel sustaining minor injuries, who were reported to be in stable condition. Both vessels reported continuing their navigation without major issues, while a formal investigation was launched to determine the causes of the incident, which remains ongoing.
The destroyer involved belongs to the Arleigh Burke class of guided-missile destroyers and had departed from Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on February 3, 2026, to begin a scheduled deployment to the SOUTHCOM area. However, a few days later it had to unexpectedly return to Norfolk due to unscheduled technical repairs after faults were detected in one of its systems, the nature of which was not officially detailed.
Although the U.S. Navy did not specify the scope of the work carried out or the exact date on which the unit resumed operations, various sources indicated that the vessel sailed again on February 6, rejoining the naval force buildup deployed in the region. Subsequently, during the underway replenishment maneuver at sea, the collision with USNS Supply occurred under circumstances that are still being assessed by military authorities.
Following the relief, Commander Taylor Auclair, who had recently been serving at U.S. Fleet Forces Command, will assume command of USS Truxtun. In the official statement, the Navy noted that it “holds its leaders to the highest standards and holds them accountable when those standards are not met,” while Koffi, who had assumed command on January 9, 2025, was temporarily reassigned to Naval Surface Group Middle Atlantic. The destroyer is currently in port in Ponce, Puerto Rico, supporting SOUTHCOM’s mission and operations directed by the U.S. Department of Defense related to disrupting illicit narcotics trafficking and protecting the homeland.
*Images for illustrative purposes.
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