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Sub commander dismissed; false records found

This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hampton surfacing in April 2004 in the North Pole during training exercises beneath the polar ice cap. Associated Press (File Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Chelsea J. Carter Associated Press
This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hampton surfacing in April 2004 in the North Pole during training exercises beneath the polar ice cap. Associated Press (File Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

LOS ANGELES – The commanding officer of the nuclear-powered submarine USS Hampton was relieved of his duty Thursday because of a loss of confidence in his leadership, the Navy said.

Cmdr. Michael B. Portland was relieved of duty after a U.S. Navy investigation found the ship failed to do daily safety checks on its nuclear reactor for a month and falsified records to cover up the omission.

“His oversight of the crew’s performance did not identify these issues” on his own, said Navy Lt. Alli Myrick, a public affairs officer. Portland’s commanders identified the problems during a routine review, she said.

It appears from a preliminary investigation on the Hampton that sailors in Submarine Squadron 11 had skipped the required analysis of the chemical and radiological properties of the submarine’s reactor for more than a month, even though a daily check is required.

The Hampton, a Los Angeles Class submarine assigned to Submarine Squadron 11, is the most advanced nuclear attack submarine in the world, carrying a torpedo, cruise missile, and mine-laying arsenal, according to information on the Navy’s Web site. The submarine is docked in San Diego.

Portland’s dismissal as commander is effective immediately. Myrick said Portland will be temporarily assigned to squadron duty and the Hampton will not conduct operations until the Navy can confirm the operational standards have been met.

Myrick said at no time was the submarine conducting unsafe operations.

“He has not been charged with any offense nor has he received nonjudicial punishment,” Myrick said.

There was no phone listing for Portland in San Diego, and the Navy did not immediately respond to an interview request.

Portland’s removal comes after officials also discovered that logs on the Hampton had been filled out to make it appear the daily checks of the reactor water had actually been done.