US Navy Fires Pacific Warship Commander Over ‘Loss of Confidence’

A U.S. Navy warship stationed on the Pacific front line—and tasked with deterring Chinese military adventurism in the region—has lost its second commanding officer in six months following a dismissal this week. Cmdr. Cameron Dennis, who led the crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard, was relieved on Tuesday “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to perform his duties,” according to a brief statement released by the service. Dennis, a career surface sailor who took command of the Howard last September, was reassigned to the staff of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, headquartered at the naval…