U-S Naval Intelligence News reports the commanding officer of USS Sioux City (LCS-11) (Gold Crew) was relieved Friday, due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.  Cmdr. Bradford Tonder had served as the commanding officer since December 2020, according to a Navy release. A Navy official said he was relieved due to substantiated sexual harassment concerns. Cmdr. Joseph Caldwell, who is currently the commanding officer of USS Detroit (LCS-7) (Blue Crew), will take over as temporary commanding officer. Tonder will be temporarily reassigned to the staff of Naval Surface Squadron 14.

Cmdr. Bradford Tonder (US Navy photo)

Officials say there is no impact to the ship’s mission or schedule. The USS Sioux City is a Freedom-variant littoral combat ship that was commissioned in 2018. The littoral combat ships are manned by two different crews, named Blue and Gold, to keep them operating at sea for longer periods. The Gold crew returned to the Sioux City’s homeport in Mayport, Fla., in December 2021 after a deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet in support of U.S. Southern Command and Joint Interagency Task Force South.

USS Sioux City (Navy photo_

The Navy says during deployment, the ship worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to disrupt transport of about 7,400 pounds of cocaine.