Capt. Richard Hayes, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 52, relieved Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Wemett, the commanding officer of the Bahrain-based mine countermeasures ship USS Dextrous (MCM 13), Nov. 6, due to loss of confidence in Wemett’s ability to command.
The relief occurred after an investigation revealed deficiencies in operational preparedness, situational awareness, and tactical proficiency. Wemett has been reassigned to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Dextrous is now commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Chavius Lewis, the former commanding officer of USS Devastator, who will serve until a permanent relief is named.
CTF 52 is the commander of mine warfare forces in U.S. 5th Fleet.
5th Fleet encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, North Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea. The expanse comprises 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
[mappress] Press Release, November 08, 2013