Trident Submarine Commander Loses Post

The commander of a nuclear-missile-armed Trident submarine was relieved of his post last month amid allegations that his verbally abusive behavior and disregard of crew views caused morale problems on board, Navy officials reported yesterday.

It was the first time in the 15-year operating history of the United States' most lethal submarine that a Trident commander had been dismissed, the Navy said. A senior officer involved in overseeing the nation's fleet of 18 ballistic-missile boats said safety was never compromised by the commander's alleged poor performance, but Navy authorities released few details about the incident.

"It is very, very unusual to have a commander relieved," said one admiral familiar with the case. "By the time our skippers get to that stage of life, we know them pretty well."

A Navy statement said Cmdr. Michael Alfonso was removed from his post as skipper of the USS Florida on Aug. 11 by Rear Adm. Paul Sullivan, head of the Navy's Trident base at Bangor, Kitsap County. The statement, issued by the base, said the action was taken because Sullivan had "lost trust and confidence" in Alfonso, who "had been unable to foster an effective command team."

Alfonso commanded the submarine for nine months, after working his way up from enlisted ranks over the past 25 years. The Florida was Alfonso's first opportunity to command a vessel. During his abbreviated tour, he led at least two patrol missions, which normally last about 70 days, according to a base spokesman.

Sources who have reviewed the case described Alfonso as verbally abusive toward members of his 160-man crew. He is said to have refused repeatedly to listen to opinions of other officers and senior enlisted personnel.

Transferred to a desk job handling special projects for the head of the Navy's regional command in Seattle, Alfonso declined yesterday to elaborate on his dismissal.

"I don't have any comment on the story or the proceedings," he said by telephone. "Things are proceeding the way they normally do," indicating that he is contesting the removal, which is subject to review by the Navy's Pacific command and Pentagon headquarters.