US Navy relieves USS Sioux City’s commanding officer

Capt. Amy Graham, commodore, Surface Division (CSD) 21, relieved the commanding officer of US Navy’s Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS USS Sioux City (LCS 11) Cmdr. Bradford Tonder on 11 February.

The commander was relieved of duty due to a loss of confidence in his ability to perform his duties, according to the navy’s press statement.

Tonder has served as the executive officer of USS Sioux City since June 2019, and as commanding officer since December 2020.

The navy noted that Cmdr. Joseph Caldwell, commanding officer of USS Detroit (LCS 7) (Blue Crew), will be temporarily assigned as commanding officer. Tonder will be temporarily reassigned to the staff of Naval Surface Squadron (CNSS) 14.

The officials also emphasized that there is no impact on the ship’s mission or schedule. Other details were not disclosed.

To remind, last month, the US Navy relieved the commanding officer of USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.

In the recent news, the US Navy also relieved two top officers of the Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Montgomery (LCS 8) “due to a loss of confidence in their ability to command”.