Commander of San Diego’s USS Santa Barbara relieved of duty for unspecified reasons

Adam Ochs, commander of the San Diego-based littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara, was relieved of duty on Thursday “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command” the high-speed vessel, the Navy said.

“The Navy maintains the highest standards for leaders and holds them accountable when those standards are not met,” officials said. They did not otherwise elaborate.

The Santa Barbara, one of the newest littoral combat ships, was visiting Manama, Bahrain, when the change of command occurred was announced. The ship is currently operating in the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet of operations.