Navy relieves USS Normandy commander after less than 9 months on the job

Capt. Simon McKeon was relieved “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command."

By Jared Keller | Published Nov 8, 2022 3:40 PM EST

The Navy has relieved the commander of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy after less than nine months in his role, the service announced on Tuesday.

Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, relieved Capt. Simon McKeon “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command,” the Navy said.

McKeon has served as the commanding officer of the cruiser since March 2022. He has been temporarily reassigned to the staff of Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic.

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A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, McKeon previously served as executive officer and commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur, according to his official bio.

McKeon’s awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and “various unit, campaign, and service awards,” per his bio.

Capt. Gary Chase, current commanding officer of the USS Vicksburg, has been temporarily reassigned as commander of the Normandy “until a permanent relief is identified,” the Navy said.

Capt. Simon McKeon, commanding officer, USS Normany, right, and Ens. Seth Brock, a gunnery officer assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), monitor operations on the bridge during sea and anchor detail as the ship pulls into Halifax, Canada, while Normandy is underway as part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, Oct. 28, 2022. The first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is on its inaugural deployment conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Malachi Lakey) — Capt. Simon McKeon, commanding officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60). (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Malachi Lakey/U.S. Navy)

The Normandy is currently deployed in the Atlantic Ocean, although the Navy stated that “there are no impacts to mission or schedule due to this relief.”

McKeon’s relief comes months after the Navy’s most recent public firing due to a “loss of trust and confidence,” that of the nuclear submarine USS Scranton’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Seth Rumler after just eight months on the job in July.

In June, NBC News reported that the Navy had fired a total of 13 commanding officers at that point in 2022.

U.S. Second Fleet public affairs officials did not respond to a request for comment from Task & Purpose regarding the nature of McKeon’s relief and the details of the Normandy’s deployment.

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Jared Keller

Jared Keller is the former managing editor of Task & Purpose. His writing has appeared in Aeon, the Los Angeles Review of Books, the New Republic, Pacific Standard, Smithsonian, and The Washington Post, among other publications. Contact the author here.

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