Submarine commander relieved of duty

GROTON, Conn. (AP) — A week after taking command, a submarine commander was relieved of his duties for unspecified allegations of personal misconduct, the Navy announced on Sunday.

Cmdr. Michael P. Ward II, commanding officer of the USS Pittsburgh, which is based in Groton, was relieved of his duties on Friday by Capt. Vernon Parks, commander of the submarine development squadron 12. The Navy cited a "lack of confidence in Ward's ability to command based upon allegations of personal misconduct."

"Our Navy has a very clear and unambiguous standard regarding the character of our commanding officers, spelled out in the charge of command," Parks said in a statement. "I reviewed this charge with Cmdr. Ward before he assumed command. He understood the Navy's high standards for command leadership and he failed to uphold them."

A spokeswoman said no details will be available. The Navy is investigating.

Ward has been reassigned to administrative duties on the staff of the commander of submarine group two.

Ward did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The USS Pittsburgh is a fast-attack Los Angeles Class submarine with a crew of about 140.

Cmdr. Michael Savageaux has taken command of the Pittsburgh. He was the commanding officer of the sub until Aug. 3 when Ward assumed command.

When he took the top job last week, the Navy New Service said he had been working toward that goal since entering the Navy in 1987.

"My dream job is and always has been commanding a submarine," Ward said upon taking command. "This is the culmination of a dream I have had from a very young age."