The Navy has quietly fired or removed several top officers in recent months but broke with its usual practice of announcing those changes, drawing pushback from Congress, according to The Associated Press. Two Democratic lawmakers said Thursday that the Navy failed to inform Congress that it fired the entire leadership team of a nuclear-powered attack submarine last month after an underwater collision. Separately, the sea service in September fired the commander of a destroyer deployed to the Middle East, according to a defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive personnel matters. Dr. Brian Monahan, a Navy rear admiral and attending physician for Congress and the Supreme Court, also departed his post during a Navy investigation — with no public announcement or confirmation. All three are a break from the Navy’s longstanding policy to announce major removals of commanders and other highly visible officials. They also follow an increasing level of secrecy over military operations, especially in the Middle East. “As a result of the Navy’s failure to communicate, what should have been a standard exercise in information sharing has instead raised questions about the Navy’s commitment to transparency and its commitment to a productive working relationship with Congress,” Representatives Joe Courtney of Connecticut and Adam Smith of Washington wrote in a letter to Navy leaders. The developments could set up a contentious confirmation hearing next week for acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao as he seeks to permanently take over as the top civilian official. Restrictions on the military sharing information go beyond the Navy. US Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, has released few details on recent limited strikes on Iran and refused to comment on or specify damage to bases or equipment, usually citing the need for operational security. Major satellite imagery providers with US contracts have blocked or delayed public release of images in the region at the request of American officials. As a result, it took months to determine that Iranian drone and missile strikes damaged or destroyed structures on 26 military bases and other sites with US equipment in the region, according to an AP analysis.
