San Francisco Skipper Relieved of Command

Navy Newsstand ^ | 2/12/2005 8:27:00 AM | U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Story Number: NNS050212-01
Release Date: 2/12/2005 8:27:00 AM

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, relieved Cmdr. Kevin Mooney of his command of USS San Francisco (SSN 711) Feb. 12. The decision to relieve Cmdr. Mooney was made following non-judicial punishment (NJP) proceedings held in Yokosuka, Japan. Additionally, as a result of the NJP, Mooney received a Letter of Reprimand.

Following the submarine striking an underwater seamount Jan. 8, Greenert reassigned Mooney to the staff of Commander, Submarine Squadron 15, based in Guam. During the conduct of the investigation into this incident, it became clear to Greenert that several critical navigational and voyage planning procedures were not being implemented aboard San Francisco. By not ensuring these standard procedures were followed, Mooney hazarded his vessel.

One Sailor died and several were injured as a result of the grounding during operations in the Western Pacific Ocean. Of 137 aboard, 98 Sailors experienced some injury, and 23 were injured seriously enough that they were unable to stand duty during the sub’s transit back to Guam.

Cmdr. Andrew Hale, deputy commander, Submarine Squadron 15, has assumed the duties as commanding officer of San Francisco.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

050121-N-0000X-001 Yokosuka, Japan (Jan. 21, 2005) – Official Navy portrait of Cmdr. Kevin Mooney. The commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, has directed that the commanding officer of USS San Francisco (SSN 711), Cmdr. Kevin Mooney, be reassigned pending the results of an investigation into the sub’s grounding during operations in the Western Pacific Ocean, Jan. 20. Mooney is reassigned to Submarine Squadron Fifteen, based in Guam, pending the results of an investigation to determine the cause of the sub’s grounding Jan. 8 that resulted in the death of one Sailor and injuries to 23 others. Cmdr. Andrew Hale, Submarine Squadron 15 deputy commander, will assume the duties as commanding officer of San Francisco. U.S. Navy photo (RELEASED)

[7.62 x 51mm]

The end of his career. Sad.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Yep. As a captain, a Letter of Reprimand means you're done.

[newsgatherer]

bump

[null and void]

ping

[Publius6961]

The end of his career. Sad.

The cost of the damage to his boat which must be borne by the taxpayer: sadder.

I was willing to wait for the results of the board of inquiry before criticizing anything.
At this point I need to ask the obvious.

How can a modern submarine, equiped with the latest sonar and gee whiz gadgetry which can spot a sardine at a gazillion yards, fail to register an freakin' underwater mountain?

[ProudVet77]

That's a lot of ribbons for a sub sailor.
I suspect more heads will role. Sad, I know someone who served under him (when he was an engineering officer) and he said he was a really good officer. By the book, but fair and friendly.
Don't know that we will ever know the whole truth.

[ozaukeemom]

ping

[mylife]

What about the Naviguesser?

[El Gran Salseron]

This is already old news but probably worth a ping. This report indicates that Cmdr. Mooney did not follow "proper procedures" for "steaming."

[demlosers]

During the conduct of the investigation into this incident, it became clear to Greenert that several critical navigational and voyage planning procedures were not being implemented aboard San Francisco. By not ensuring these standard procedures were followed, Mooney hazarded his vessel.

When you cut corners, don't eff up.

[7.62 x 51mm]

Agreed. That's a *mystery* which needs to be answered ASAP.

[mc6809e]

What bothers me most about this is how this guy is supposed to assume that, with all the high-tech gear we've had for 20+ years, the navy hasn't given him a fvcking current map.

So who really is to blame? Who is it that would guide the navy to modernize it's maps and to take advantage of the latest technology?

That responsibility doesn't lie with a sub commander. It lies with those on top, with the Admirals.

How many of them are getting reprimands for being idiots?

Hey Admiral moron: the tech has existed for years to give your people decent maps. What the hell are you waiting for?

[Piquaboy]

Captain Kennedy of the USS Oldsmobile (SSN666) did not suffer any punishment for the sinking of his ship along with loss of life of his crew mate.

[You Dirty Rats]

Before you call an Admiral a moron, you might want to acquire a basic knowledge of the sea. For example, the Navy doesn't use maps; they use charts.

[StoneGiant]

How can a modern submarine, equiped with the latest sonar and gee whiz gadgetry

I would imagine that when running silent there are absolutely no emissions allowed... especially sonar.

While there may be passive listening capabilities that allow sensors to determine images of surrounding terrain, I am unaware of their capabilities and limitations.

[Bottom_Gun]

That's very easy,
1. Active sonar is not used in transit, it gives away your position when used, there by defeating the "stealth" factor of a submarine. only passive sonar is used, which listens to sounds out in the water...and an underwater mount don't make any noise!
2. at those speeds (full bell or higher) sonar is usless, because of flow noise over the hull and array. to hear a concact you have to slow down, or it's right on top of you.

how do I know this? Retired STS1(SS/DV) that's Sonar Tech, Submarines for those not in the know.

[Terpfen]

You two may be interested in post #90 on this thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1341625/posts

The cause of the collision isn't so mysterious.

[angkor]

Anyone know what happened with the Sam Houston before it was decommissioned? I heard it had a scrape or two, but not from the guy I know who was an officer on it in the 70's.

I hope this Cmdr. Mooney wasn't trying to draw Mickey Mouse images on his chart plotter.

[Stonewall Jackson]

Passive sonar, which is the type submarines usually employ to track other vessels and subs, involves listening to the sounds generated by these targets. Active sonar, involves sending out a sound pulse and listening to its return. This allows a vessel or sub to accurately map the area around them, but also pinpoints their own location for anyone else who is out there, a big no-no when you are trying to be sneaky. Additionally, all types of sonar, active and passive, are completely useless when doing a high-speed run like the San Francisco was doing at the time of the crash. They could have run over my cousin's stereo system and not heard a thing.