US Navy relieves USS Truxtun commander after Caribbean collision
World
The US Navy removed Cmdr. James Koffi as commanding officer of USS Truxtun after a Feb. 11 collision with USNS Supply; two sailors were slightly injured.
(Web Desk) - The United States Navy has relieved the commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG-103) following a collision with the fleet oiler USNS Supply (T-AOE-6) during a refueling operation in the Caribbean Sea on Feb. 11, 2026.
Rear Admiral Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/4th Fleet, removed Cmdr. James Koffi from command on Feb. 22, citing a loss of confidence in his ability to command — a standard US Navy rationale for relieving officers after operational mishaps.
The collision occurred during an underway replenishment-at-sea, and footage taken at the time captured a loud impact with crew members shouting, “We’ve been hit.” Both vessels returned to Ponce, Puerto Rico, and two sailors suffered minor injuries.
Cmdr. Koffi, who assumed command on Jan. 9, 2025, has been reassigned temporarily to Naval Surface Group Middle Atlantic. Cmdr. Taylor Auclair has been appointed as the destroyer’s new commanding officer. The cause of the collision remains under investigation, and the Truxtun continues to support U.S. Southern Command missions in the region.
