US Navy Commander Removed After Destroyer Collision

Commanding Officer James Coffey of the USS Truxtun relieved of duty following incident with supply tanker in the Caribbean Sea.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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By order of Rear Admiral Carlos Sardiello, commander of the U.S. Southern Command, Commanding Officer James Coffey of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Truxtun was relieved of duty following a collision with a supply tanker in the Caribbean Sea, injuring two sailors. The official reason given for his dismissal was loss of confidence.

Why it matters

This is the second time in a year that a US Navy commander has been removed from duty following a collision incident, raising concerns about safety protocols and oversight on naval vessels.

The details

The incident occurred on February 11, when the USS Truxtun was attempting to refuel at sea. The tanker USNS Supply approached the ship for this purpose. While refueling, the USS Truxtun suddenly shifted sharply to starboard and struck the tanker, injuring two sailors.

  • The USS Truxtun arrived in the Caribbean just a few weeks ago.
  • Prior to that, it was at the Norfolk Naval Station undergoing minor repairs.
  • The incident occurred on February 11, 2026.

The players

Rear Admiral Carlos Sardiello

Commander of the U.S. Southern Command who ordered the dismissal of Commanding Officer James Coffey.

James Coffey

Commanding Officer of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Truxtun, who was relieved of duty following the collision incident.

Taylor Oclair

A former U.S. Navy commander who has been appointed to replace Coffey on an interim basis.

Dave Snowden

Commander of the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier who was removed from duty a year ago following a similar collision incident near Port Said, Egypt.

USNS Supply

The supply tanker that was struck by the USS Truxtun during the refueling incident.

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What’s next

The US Navy will likely conduct a full investigation into the incident to determine the cause and any necessary changes to refueling protocols or training procedures.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of strict safety protocols and oversight on naval vessels, especially during complex maneuvers like at-sea refueling. It also raises questions about the Navy's approach to holding commanding officers accountable for accidents that occur under their watch.